Potager Elements: Espaliers
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Ahh, espaliers! My favorite! I think they make your garden sing! And they’re always great conversation starters. Espaliers form living sculptures yet are slightly different than topiary sculptures because they form flat shapes rather than full 3d type shapes and objects. Because they grow flat, they are great for growing fruits in small areas up walls and fences but can also be used as decorative freestanding fences, hedges or screens that help partition off spaces.
Espaliers are created using special pruning techniques which I plan to cover more in depth later on. Here are the espaliers I planted in my own yard last year along my fence. I purchased large already started espaliers because I didn’t want to wait as long, but you can start your own from a small single cordon.
I love how they break up the monotony of my fence. And the fence acts as a great backdrop making the espaliers a real stunning focal point!
I chose a variety of apple trees, but there are others you can choose from to espalier as well, like any of these:
You can also create the same sort of espalier effects with vines. {Refresh your memory on edible climbers here}.
One of my local nurseries sells pre-started espaliers so check around and see what you can find. Your local nurseries can also help you get single cordons to help you start your own if you are interested. There are also places online that sell pre-started espaliers that I’m trying to gather up for you so you have as many resources as possible to choose from.
Making living sculptures out of plants is a lot of fun. And espaliers are a stunning way to do it!
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I’m not at all familiar with espaliers, but this looks really cool! If you do apple or pear trees, will they still fruit?
This is so timely. We moved into a new (for us) home last fall, and while there is some very nice landscaping done, there is still vast amounts of lawn left. I want to plant an edible landscape. I look forward to more of your posts. They are great. Thanks
Good! I’m glad you are finding the information useful Deb! I hope you will share your project with me when you are finished! I would love to see it!
Hey Dee! Yes they will still fruit! Thats what is so fun about these! It was a common practice back in European courtyard gardens from what I understand. It is a way to grow more fruit in smaller spaces. You should definately try it!
I LOVE your belgian fence! That was my original plan with my apples, but I ended up not growing them that way.
Our local nursery does not sell espaliered ANYTHING; I had to start my own. I have apples and pears on mine.
I have thought a lot about growing a belgian fence along the front wall.
What do you have growing underneath them? Strawberries?
Thanks! The belgian fence is my all time fav espalier design! You should totally do it–it is such a stunning design!
I do have strawberries under mine but I may move those somewhere else and put a more beneficial companion plant near the apples. Man! There is so much to think about when you are planting things!
You have strawberries under yours. Hmmm . . .
I am thinking about putting some espalieried trees in our front yard as well. I have been planning on doing it along one wall, but this week I realized I could do them along the entrance walk as well. The area is mostly shaded, so I’m trying to decide what would do best there.
I meant to say that I am thinking of putting in some alpine strawberries, but I haven’t figured where to put them yet.
I have herbs and lettuce under my espalieried apples.