For the past few years, we’ve been watching the progress of Martha Stewart’s living garden maze in a-maze-ment (sorry). There’s something so appealing about a puzzle that’s been meticulously crafted from hedges, fruit trees, and the like – even if it feels utterly impractical.
That said, it doesn't have to be impractical. There are plenty of ways you can create a labyrinth maze of your own, even in a small contemporary garden, and all without burning a hole in your wallet. It simply takes a little imagination, consideration, and patience; Rome wasn’t built in a day, remember, and Martha’s maze has taken three whole years to develop.
“Since work began [on my maze] I've planted a variety of different hedges, espaliers, trees, and shrubs – hundreds of specimens that I selected to add texture and interest, and all according to a detailed map I created specifically for the space,” the lifestyle guru recently shared via her blog. “Guests who wander through are stumped at almost every turn!”
Making Your Own Living Garden Maze
Now, we know what you’re thinking: Martha Stewart’s living garden maze, in all of its sprawling glory, isn’t going to work in your own backyard. Yes, there are obviously elements of scale to factor in, especially if your garden is a more modest sized growing space.
To trot out an old adage, though: size isn’t everything. Hopefully, these maze-inspired suggestions will fire up your imagination and give you the confidence to recreate elements of Martha's extraordinary garden creation in your own backyard…
1. Garden Border Maze
Fun fact: you can use flowering herbs to create a teeny ornamental hedge in your garden borders. Just be sure to map out the route of your puzzle (think Martha Stewart’s living garden maze, in miniature) before you plant.
“Fragrant mazes could be crafted from rosemary, lavender or cistus in a very small space,” says horticulturalist and broadcaster Ellen Mary Webster. “If you’re on a budget, start with a few small sprigs, and each year take cuttings for more free plants so you can expand the maze without spending a dime.”
You can pick up 5 Phenomenal! Lavender Plants in 4 Inch Pots from Walmart if this idea tickles your fancy. This Mediterranean garden favourite tends to do best in USDA hardiness zones 4 to 8.
2. Wildflower Maze
Ever dreamed of a wildflower garden? Their low-maintenance blooms are beneficial to honeybees, ladybugs, beautiful butterflies, and the occasional hummingbird. Imagine, then, using them as the basis for your own DIY version of Martha Stewart’s living garden maze.
Mark out paths with string or garden canes to help plan your route. Sprinkle something like Amazon’s Mountain View Seeds Hummingbird & Butterfly Wildflower Seed Mixture accordingly. Give them a light water, and be sure to keep them moist until they’ve sprouted.
No space? No problem! Instead, you can pot up wildflowers and group them to mimic a mini maze in a courtyard or balcony garden. This method has the added bonus of allowing you to redesign your puzzle whenever you feel it’s become easily solvable.
3. Sweetcorn Maze
If you’re working with a larger space but still very much on a budget, Ellen Mary suggests you “think en masse” when it comes to planting your very own version of Martha Stewart’s living garden maze.
“Try sowing and planting out lots of sweetcorn to make a mini garden maze. This can also be done with sunflowers,” she says. Pick up a few packets of The Old Farmer's Almanac Heirloom Golden Bantam Sweet Corn Seeds from Walmart to make this dream a reality. Neighbors may spy the maze from their garden window and mistake it for a particularly elaborate crop circle…
4. Lawn Maze
You don’t have to use hedging plants to recreate Martha Stewart’s living garden maze. “In a grassy garden, you can have fun by adding your own twist to the rewilding trend. Mow pathways here and there, but leave the rest of your grass to grow long,” says Ellen Mary. “This will create a haven for the local animals and a maze all in one go!”
To make this job easier, try Greenworks 40V 14” Brushless (Push) Cordless Lawn Mower from Amazon – there’s no cord to tie you up as you work on your DIY labyrinth!
Why Not Go Full Martha Stewart?
Of course, if you have the space, the cash, and the time for it, you can create your own version of Martha Stewart’s living garden maze using her core plant choices. Here are the shrubs and trees she used:
- London Plane: Also known as Platanus acerifolia ‘Bloodgood’, London plane is a staple in Martha's maze. "Its bark makes it even more interesting, because it sheds in a patchwork pattern with growth and age," she says via her blog.
- Hicks Yew: Hardy in zones 4-8, this is an incredibly popular shrub, so of course it found its way into Martha Stewart's living garden maze. Expect a thick, bushy barrier that packs some color even during the winter months. Pick up your own Hicks yew from Nature Hills.
- American Sweetgum: Also known as Liquidambar styraciflua ‘Slender Silhouette’ trees, you can expect these trees to grow to up to "50 feet tall (15m) and only about 4 feet (1.2m) wide", according to Martha.
- Ninebark: This gives gorgeous color from spring to fall. They are great for pollinators, require hardly any pruning, and are hardy in zones 3-7. Try Nature Hills' Proven Winners® Color Choice® Ginger Wine® Ninebark – also ideal for a privacy screen.
- Holly: Whether for festive glam or a prickly surprise for visitors to your maze, most varieties should work. Martha rates 'Red Beauty' (hardy in USDA zones 6-10) for its bold berries. Pick up a Blooming & Beautiful Red Beauty Holly from Amazon.
Of course, Martha herself says that the real trick is “to plant as many interesting trees, hedges, espaliers, and shrubs as possible” – just be sure that “the plants are spaced closely, so they become closed hedges in time,” she reveals. On that note, then, we’re off to have a bash at this ourselves. Fingers crossed we don’t get lost…
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