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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Here, Chhiring places the potted holly in their designated section, five feet apart from each other.
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.
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.
Ilex crenata ‘Chesapeake’ is a Japanese holly that shows off a compact, upright, pyramidal shape, with small lustrous evergreen foliage.
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.
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.
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.
Here, Ernesto gives the shrub one last look to make sure it is straight with its best side facing in the right direction.
This shrub is now ready to be backfilled.
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.
Next, all the soil around each plant is raked, so the bed looks neat, tidy, and finished.
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.
… and then Chhiring gives everything a good, thorough drink. Remember, if you drink and eat, so should your plants.
Because holly shrubs are evergreen, these will look beautiful all year long.
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.
Strawberries are among the easiest berries to grow. They're cold-hardy, adaptable, and can be planted in both garden beds and containers. Here at the farm, we're extending our strawberry patch, so we have more delicious, sweet fruits to pick next summer.
Earlier this year, my gardeners planted a large bed of strawberries behind my main greenhouse. The area is filled with nutrient-rich, well-draining soil, and the bed gets lots of full sunlight - the best conditions for these well-loved fruits. The strawberries did so well, I decided to lengthen the rows of strawberry plants to give them more room to grow and thrive.
Enjoy these photos.
Summer strawberries are among the most popular fruits here in the United States. I love eating strawberries fresh from the garden or as jams and jellies I make myself. Do you know why it is called a “strawberry”? One theory is that woodland pickers strung them on pieces of straw to carry them to market. Others believe the surface of the fruit looks embedded with bits of straw. Still others think the name comes from the Old English word meaning “to strew,” because the plant’s runners stray in all directions as if strewn on the ground.
Strawberry is a member of the Rosaceae family and goes by the scientific name of Fragaria x ananassa. Strawberries are native to temperature regions all around the world; however, it was the union of two species native to the Americas that developed into the garden strawberry. This is the strawberry patch behind my main greenhouse. Strawberries prefer to be in full sun, and well-drained, well-established, nutrient-rich soil. These plants grew so well this year, I decided to extend the rows.
Here is Brian removing some of the plants from the bed to be moved to the other end of this garden patch.
The plants were so prolific this year – look how green and lush the plants are, but they do need room to thrive. Even if they have started to root, they can be moved or redirected so that they are not crowded or growing into areas where they are not wanted.
Brian and Jimmy gathered all the plants to be moved and put them in crates set in the shade.
Brian sets up the twine, to make sure everything is lined up straight and perfect.
Before making the trench for planting, a line of twine is pulled down the length of the row. These trenches are 18-inches apart.
We followed the same lines we used for the original rows and just extended them. Here, Jimmy is measuring the space between the rows to make sure this last row is equally spaced with the others.
Using a heart shaped hoe, Brian starts by digging a shallow trench. Heart shaped hand hoes are great to use for getting under the soil to make these furrows or to weed.
Here is the trench made under the twine. The trenches should be large enough to accommodate the roots without bending them. Strawberries also need slightly acidic soil with a pH between 5.5 and 6.8.
Brian carefully places each plant where it will be planted. These are spaced a foot apart.
Many varieties of strawberries send out numerous runners throughout the season and fill in the space between plants, so it’s important to give them ample room.
These are the plant’s runners. Strawberry runners, also called stolons, are horizontal stems that grow along the ground. Each runner produces several new “daughter” plants that are still attached to the original “mother” plant. A daughter plant will grow roots where it touches the soil.
Strawberry is a herbaceous perennial. The plant has a short stem and trifoliate leaves which form a crown close to the ground.
Here is Jimmy planting. Planting strawberries at the right depth is important – if the crown is buried, the plant could easily rot.
Once the plant is at its proper depth, Jimmy backfills and tamps down lightly to ensure good contact with the soil.
Brian inspects one of the plants. We planted these in May as bare-root cuttings. They’ve all done so well since then – look how big this plant has grown. The varieties we planted include ‘Jewel,’ ‘Galletta,’ ‘AC Valley Sunset,’ ‘Earliglow,’ ‘Sparkle,’ and ‘Honeoye.’
This row is done and all these are planted properly – the crown of every plant is even with the soil line.
Jimmy continues down another row, spacing each one correctly and carefully.
Brian checks each plant just to make sure – we don’t want to overcrowd them.
Here are the extended rows. I am so pleased with how well they turned out. Next year, we’ll have an even larger bounty of wonderful, sweet, vitamin-C rich strawberries – I can’t wait.
If you love fashion, do try to visit Paris during Fashion Week.
I've always been drawn to the world of fashion - and of course, the French luxury label Hermès, one of the most successful design companies in the world. While in Paris last week, I attended the Hermès Spring Show 2024, which was held at La Garde Republicaine, the training center for the horses of the French Republican Guard. For this runway show, Hermès womenswear creative director, Nadège Vanhée, was inspired by springtime, wildflowers, and grassy meadows. The Collection highlighted a luxurious palette of reds, browns, and blacks on natural fabrics of leather, cashmere, silk, and cotton to showcase easy early summertime staples such as skirts, coats, trousers, and dresses. It was a presentation of elegant simplicity - just leave it to Hermès. During this trip, I also ate at a handful of delicious restaurants including L'Avenue, Mieux, and Cloche. It was a full itinerary, but also full of fun and good company.
Enjoy these photos.
Hard to pass by all the beautiful and historic buildings in Paris without taking photos. This is The Palais de l’Institut de France, formerly the College of the Four Nations. This majestic building is on the left bank of the Seine directly across from the south wing of the Louvre’s Cour Carée. Cardinal Mazarin, Louis XIV’s Prime minister, is buried under the Institute’s grand dome.
And here is the Notre-Dame de Paris, referred to simply as Notre-Dame, the medieval Catholic cathedral on the Île de la Cité, in the 4th arrondissement of Paris. If you recall, it caught fire five years ago. Sad to see it under all the scaffolding, but the giant restoration project is scheduled to be completed in the spring of 2024.
Joining me on my short trip to Paris are my longtime publicist, Susan Magrino, and my makeup artist, Daisy Schwartzberg Toye.
We ate lunch at the outdoor bistro L’Avenue on the corner of Avenue Montaigne – well known for its classic French dishes and people watching from its terrace.
Among the dishes we enjoyed – minced beef fillet tartare.
And a flavorful steamed salmon fillet with fresh green beans.
Here I am in front of our hotel ready to attend the Hermès Womenswear Spring-Summer Runway Show. Did you catch this on my Instagram page @MarthaStewart48? My bag is a vintage Hermès Birkin, 2001.
Both sides of the runway at the Garde Républicaine were decorated with a “meadow” of wildflowers, reeds, and tall grasses. There was also straw dust on the floor of the venue.
The Collection included many womenswear basics, such as this skirt and top, easy-flowing for springtime.
This ensemble is in a bright white-gray color – very fresh, sporty, and casual.
More suit-like fashions were roomy and loose to catch the spring season’s gentle breezes.
Top coats were also easy-going in natural colors with a professional style. Models also wore comfortable flat sandals.
The color palette included shades of dark burgundy – this to showcase a leather skirt and cotton bralette.
Here is another dark burgundy set – a leather coat and dress combination.
Here is a bright red cashmere coat to warm one on chilly spring evenings.
All the styles in this Collection are professional, yet simple and very clean.
This black top resembles a suit vest, matched with a long, tailored skirt.
Guests sat on tiered benches among the wild grasses. It was a very full audience. And not to worry, all the plantings used were replanted outdoors after the show.
While at the show, I bumped into Stefano Tonchi, Italian journalist, curator, and consultant. Always nice to see him and catch up.
After the show, a group of us gathered at Cloche, the revamped historic brasserie on the corner of Rue Coq Heron. We were there to join Hermès creative director, Nadège Vanhée, for dinner.
Some of the dishes on the menu included beautifully presented fish…
… and the most tender filet mignon.
Here I am with Daisy and Susan – all dressed for the afterparty. No, this was NOT planned.
Do you know who this is? It’s Ghali Amdouni, also known by the mononym Ghali – the Italian rapper and record producer – offering his signature “peace” sign in this snapshot.
And here I am with Axel Dumas, a sixth-generation member of the family that founded Hermès.
Here is the famous Eiffel Tower – the wrought-iron lattice tower on the Champ de Mars. This photo was taken at midnight with the full moon in the background. It was a quick but very enjoyable three days in Paris, the beautiful ville lumière, city of light.
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