Adding More Holly to My Living Maze
Many varieties of holly, Ilex, have compact habits and glistening, bright green foliage, that's excellent for hedges, borders, and yes, mazes.
As many of you know, I am in the process of planting a living maze in a lush pasture just outside my Winter House. I started planting this course one year ago with a variety of different hedges, espaliers, and trees. So far, there are European beech, European hornbeams, boxwood, parrotias, espaliered apple trees, American sweetgums, barberry, London planetrees, privets, holly, and yews. This week, more rows of sod were removed and three different types of holly were planted - Ilex crenata 'Chesapeake,' Ilex crenata 'Compacta,'and Ilex glabra 'Shamrock.' Every specimen is placed according to a very detailed map I designed specifically for this maze.
Here are some photos of my growing maze, enjoy.
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- Every few weeks, while we can still plant in the gardens, we add another section of specimens to my living maze – this time, three varieties of holly. The maze is more than one third complete and is developing very nicely. I designed the maze with different plantings to add texture and interest. Each row will branch off with various pathway options and dead ends – with only one correct route to the center.
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- The first step in our maze planting process is to remove the sod where the plants will go. Chhiring goes over the designated beds with our 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. This sod cutter is so easy to maneuver and so sharp, Chhiring finishes one row in just minutes.
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- The maze is drawn out on a map, so it is important to refer to it every time something new is added. The area is measured multiple times before the actual sod is cut and removed. Here, one can see where Chhiring sliced the grass strips.
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- The sod strips are divided into sections, so it is easier to roll and lift. Here are several pieces of sod neatly rolled up and ready to be repurposed in another area of the farm.
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- Chhiring drops generous handfuls of fertilizer down the rows of bare soil. A slow release fertilizer designed for shrubs and evergreens is best. Also look for food that promotes faster establishment, deeper roots, and good soil structure.
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- Here, Chhiring places the potted holly in their designated section, five feet apart from each other.
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- We always plant in an assembly line fashion – it is efficient and works well when working with mass plantings. All the potted holly is lined up nicely in the bed.
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- Among the holly cultivars we’re using – Ilex glabra ‘Shamrock’ or Shamrock holly shrub, an Inkberry holly. It is a broad leafed compact, rounded, evergreen shrub with slender foliage of thick, spineless, dark green leaves. This holly thrives in moist locations and features greenish-white flowers that open in spring and mature to black, pea-sized berries that feed the local bird populations in fall.
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- Ilex crenata ‘Chesapeake’ is a Japanese holly that shows off a compact, upright, pyramidal shape, with small lustrous evergreen foliage.
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- And Ilex crenata ‘Compacta’ or compact Japanese holly is a low, compact holly known for its small black fruit, rich dark green foliage, and spreading habit. It will grow to six feet high and wide making it a good choice for a maze hedge.
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- Each holly 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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- The holly is carefully placed in the hole, but before backfilling, it’s always good to check that the plant is positioned with the best side facing out, or in this case, facing the path.
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- Here, Ernesto gives the shrub one last look to make sure it is straight with its best side facing in the right direction.
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- This shrub is now ready to be backfilled.
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- Soil is pushed back into the hole surrounding the root ball. The soil is then carefully tamped down to ensure good contact between the plant and the soil.
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- Next, all the soil around each plant is raked, so the bed looks neat, tidy, and finished.
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- Ennio makes sure the soil is also level in between the plants. Later, these beds will also get top dressed with a layer of mulch.
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- … and then Chhiring gives everything a good, thorough drink. Remember, if you drink and eat, so should your plants.
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- Because holly shrubs are evergreen, these will look beautiful all year long.
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- Here is one row all planted and done. In all, more than 50-holly shrubs in this section of the maze. There is still lots one can do in the garden – what are you planting this weekend? Share your comments – I love hearing from all of you.
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