Maintaining My Garden Maze
It's so important to keep up with the maintenance and care of the many trees and plants here at my Bedford, New York farm.
Two years ago, I started creating a garden maze of interesting hedges, espaliers, and shrubs in the pasture across the carriage road from my Winter House terrace. I've planted hundreds of different specimens that add texture and interest - all according to a very detailed map I designed specifically for the space. To keep them healthy and looking their best, I make sure we prune, feed, and mulch them regularly. I'm happy to report, every row is looking vibrant and "a-maze-ing."
Enjoy these latest photos.
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- Here is one path of my maze. A living garden maze is a puzzle of plantings – most will grow tall enough to prevent walkers from seeing the paths ahead. And each row will branch off with various pathway options and dead ends – with only one correct route to the center.
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- Remember this view? I designed the maze in this three acre pasture in front of my Winter House, so I could see it right from my window.
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- As each puzzling path bed is cleared of sod, the spaces are measured and marked, the plants are carefully counted and placed, and then planted, watered and top dressed with nutrient-rich mulch.
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- Here is one of the early rows. For a maze, it’s best to use relatively fast-growing trees. Many will grow to be at least six feet tall and two feet wide at maturity.
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- And here is one of the rows I planted just this spring. Everything is looking so lush and green, in part because of the maintenance and care I give them throughout the year.
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- Each shrub or bush is planted appropriately with enough space to accommodate its full grown size. These will grow taller and more stout.
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- When needed, the developing hedges are trimmed. Proper and regular trimming helps keep them thick and full, giving them a neat and tidy look. It also promotes new growth, improves air circulation and light through the branches, and keeps them looking aesthetically pleasing.
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- I also trim the hedges in layers, so they can be seen from afar.
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- The footpaths are also designed appropriately, so my horses can walk through the maze as well. I think they really enjoy it.
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- Not long ago, the crew started taking on the task of mulching all the beds at the farm. Here, Alex takes a wheelbarrow of mulch to the maze. This mulch is made right here – downed trees are ground multiple times by a tub grinder I call in every couple of years.
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- The three-inch mulched area extends to the drip line of the branches. And be sure not to over-mulch, which could suffocate the roots.
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- I planted both deciduous and evergreen specimens, so there is something interesting to see at every turn.
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- This is one of three young weeping camperdown elms. Camperdown elms prefer partial to full sun, but will also grow in light shade. The maze is a perfect environment for these trees.
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- I also planted several Liquidambar styraciflua ‘Slender Silhouette’ trees, American sweetgums. As these trees mature, they will maintain their erect, columnar form, growing up to 50 feet tall and only about four-feet wide.
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- This is an Ember Waves Western Arborvitae – a colorful evergreen with yellow new growth that contrasts so beautifully with the maturing chartreuse to bright green foliage.
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- Paul’s Gold threadleaf false cypress, Chamaecyparis pisifera, has year-round golden green foliage.
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- I also have espaliered apple trees growing in my maze – at the right time, those walking through can pick a fruit while they meander through this botanical puzzle.
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- All the apple trees are doing so well here – I already have so many fruits growing on the branches.
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- Red Beauty holly has bright red berries combined with glossy, dark green foliage. Many varieties of holly, Ilex, have compact habits and glistening leaves that’s excellent for hedges, borders, and yes, mazes.
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- And in this area, a selection of handsome London planetrees, Platanus acerifolia ‘Bloodgood,’ a relative of the mighty sycamore. These trees are large shade trees with broad open crowns. They were the perfect choice for the center of my maze, where they will surround and shade an open space.
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- The maze is looking so great – I am very pleased with how it is turning out. And we’ve gotten so much done. I think it may be finished sooner than expected – I can’t wait. Follow my blog here online and on Instagram @marthastewartblog and see all the latest updates on all my gardens at the farm.
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