Planting Holly in My Maze
My garden maze continues to evolve with each row of interesting plantings. It now includes a section of holly, Ilex, an evergreen shrub with dense, glossy, foliage.
Earlier this month, the wholesale nursery, Monrovia, sent me a large assortment of beautiful plants including 21-holly shrubs. I knew these specimens would make excellent additions to my maze, located in a lush pasture just outside my Winter House. I instructed my head gardener, Ryan McCallister, where they should go, and he and Pete went right to work - measuring the space, marking the rows, removing the sod, planting the holly, and top dressing with mulch made right here at the farm. I started planting this course one year ago with a variety of different hedges, espaliers, and trees, and I am happy to report, we've completed about a third of the three-acre space and it looks great.
Here are some photos, enjoy.
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- Ryan started by placing the potted holly in the section of the maze where they would be planted.
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- The holly from Monrovia is ‘Ruby Colonnade,’ Ilex x crenata ‘RutHol5’ PPAF. It is versatile evergreen shrub with a naturally pyramidal form.
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- It shows off dense, glossy, bright green foliage, with new leaves that emerge deep “ruby” red.
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- Here, Ryan and Pete go over the exact location for the holly. The maze is drawn out on a map, so it is important to refer to it every time something new is added.
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- The area is measured multiple times – first to mark where the rows will be…
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- … then to mark how wide the beds would be and where the designated paths would start and end…
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- … and finally the exact spot where each tree will be placed.
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- Here, Pete sets up landscape twine according to the map’s specifications and our latest measurements.
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- Next, Pete goes over the designated beds with our new Classen Pro HSC18 sod cutter. The sod cutter goes over the area smoothly and deeply. Everything must be done as precisely as possible for the maze.
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- This sod cutter is so easy to maneuver and so sharp, Pete finishes one row in just minutes.
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- Then with the edge of a spade, Pete cuts the sod strips into sections, so it is easier to roll and lift.
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- And then one by one, Pete rolls up the sod. Here, Pete stops for a quick photo.
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- Here are several pieces of sod neatly rolled up and ready to be repurposed in another area of the farm.
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- All the sod is loaded in our Kubota M4 tractor and moved to the goose pen, where it can be reused to fill some of bare areas.
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- Once all the sod is removed, each potted holly is placed exactly where it will be planted – down to the exact inch, so plants are lined up perfectly.
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- Each hole is dug with enough room for the plant’s root ball. Holly thrives best in an area that gets equal parts shade and sun, and where it can live in well-draining soil.
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- Then, a good handful of fertilizer is dropped into the hole. A 20-20-20 or 10-10-10 slow release fertilizer designed for shrubs and evergreens is best.
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- Then the holly is carefully placed in the hole and backfilled. When planting, always check that the plant is positioned with the best side facing out, or in this case, facing the path.
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- Once it is planted, the surrounding soil is tamped down to ensure good contact between the plant and the soil.
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- Meanwhile, here comes Pete with a wheelbarrow filled with mulch made right here at the farm.
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- Pete drops mulch next to each shrub – just enough to add a nice top dressing. Three inches will be plenty. Too deep a layer may cause water logging later.
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- Here, the mulch is carefully and evenly spread around the shrubs and along the entire length of each of the four beds.
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- Here is one bed nicely done. The shrubs are five feet apart giving them ample room to mature.
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- And here is the section all complete. The last step is a good, deep drink. Remember, if you drink and eat, so should your plants. Four more rows in the maze are now done… and many, many more still to go.
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