If you’re planning to plant an apple or pear tree in an elegant trellis or a twisted cypress in a container, here are some tips to help you choose the right plants for your new structure. You should also consider a variety of colorful plants, like Bougainvillea or Pyracantha. And don’t forget to consider the climate where you plan to plant your espalier.
Pear Tree Espalier
If you want a spectacularly-shaped pear tree, consider investing in a pear tree espalier. Pears have a unique structure, with spurs that extend from the tree trunk, much like apples. This kind of training encourages the development of large pears. You can find pear trees that work well as espalier trees at your local nursery. You can also purchase pear espaliered trees online.
The first step to creating a beautiful pear tree espalier is to determine its size. The most common tree for espalier is an apple or a pear tree, but pomegranate trees are easier to grow than pear trees. For a more modest space, opt for a spur-bearing apple tree. Also, be sure to buy a tree that has a dwarf rootstock so that it will grow to its full potential.
When it comes to pruning an Espalier, the possibilities are almost endless. You can prune the tree in a variety of styles and shapes, but before harvest, you can admire the results. A similar technique is called pleaching – planting two or more Espaliers to form a continuous border. In both cases, you can use the tips of the leaves to shape the tree to suit the surrounding area. If you are unsure of the style you’d like to create, check out specialized pruning guides and online resources.
Apple Tree Espalier
If you’re wondering whether an apple tree is the right choice for your garden, you may want to consider an apple tree espalier. This type of tree has a central trunk and side shoots, which guide the main branches. The uppermost shoot then becomes the new leader. There are several patterns of this style, including a horizontal cordon and a circular espalier. Here are some details about these types of trees and how they’re made.
There are thousands of different types of apple trees in the world. Apple Tree Espaliers are widely available and can be grown in zones three to eight. Apple trees bloom with pink flowers in spring and ripen in late summer or early fall. Pyracantha plants look particularly attractive against tall brick walls. They produce red berries throughout winter and small white flowers in spring. For a more formal and elegant look, try planting two or three trees side by side.
Pyracantha
If you’d like to grow a pyracantha plant in an espalier, it’s easy to do. You can take cuttings from the plant in late summer or early spring and plant them in a pot with compost, sand, and a drainage hole. Once they’re in the pot, they should be protected from frost or cold, and should be watered regularly.
For best results, plant your pyracantha plant at least 12 inches away from the wall. Planting it too close to the wall could result in it ripping off the paint, so be sure to remove the container first before transferring the plant. To transfer the plant from its pot, press the sides of the container and pull out the plant. It may be difficult to get it out of the pot, but use your hands to gently squeeze the roots with a small shovel.
Because pyracantha has vicious thorns, use thick gloves when pruning. You can protect the plant from fireblight by pruning it before it blooms. If you don’t, the bacterial infection spreads easily to other plants and is not curbed. To protect your mature espalier, you can try to prune the branches to stop flowering before they start to bloom. This will prevent the fireblight from spreading to new branches.
Bougainvillea
In the Bay Area, bougainvilleas can grow well against a warm wall. It thrives in full sun but tolerates afternoon shade. It produces few flowers if it receives dappled sun. In addition, it prefers infrequent deep watering. The most common cultivars are ‘Barbara Karst’ and ‘California Gold.’
A good bougainvillea plant can be trained on a brick wall. It requires at least five hours of full sun every day. However, you should avoid pruning bougainvilleas when they are dormant. It is best to prune bougainvilleas in early spring. It should not be pruned during the dormant period. A brick wall facing south or west is best.
When training bougainvilleas, they need to be trained to grow upwards. This can be achieved with wire guides or a trellis. However, if you are not comfortable with wire guides, you can also use a trellis. While modern trellis can be easily attached without nails, most of them require a lot of assembly. You can also buy a trellis that will come with masonry nails.
Camellias
Camellias make the best espalier plants because of their luxuriant foliage and mass of flowers. These plants provide lush beauty year-round, and can be trained onto a wall or fence. The variety you choose should be tolerant of part or full sun. If you live in a climate with cold winters and hot summers, you can use camellia sasanqua.
To create an espalier, you must tie off branches in an open pattern. Choose camellias with several leading branches and plant them against a wall, with the ends tying off with twine or soft plastic ties. After flowering, you must prune the plants regularly to keep the shape of the frame flat and the flowers at eye level. Camellias are great for espaliers because they flower all over the year, so they require less attention.
When using the espalier method, you must make sure the plant is supported by a sturdy structure that can support the main stem and other branches. You can use three or four posts parallel to the wall, or you can place them at least 60cm apart. The spacing between posts is important as this will help keep good air circulation and discourage disease problems. In addition to using wire or wooden framework, you can also use galvanised wire to support your camellias.
Cotoneaster
If you’re looking for a quick and easy way to add beautiful, colorful flowers to your landscape, you might consider cotoneaster plants for escaping. These plants grow well in full sun, although they do need an occasional deep soak during dry periods. They are hardy, requiring little care and can grow in zones four to 10.
If you’re planting a new tree for your garden, try choosing a fast-growing species that grows quickly and has adventitious buds. A variety with overlapping branches makes an excellent espalier. You can choose from an assortment of different species, but make sure to look for a hardy one that grows well in your area. Once you’ve chosen a plant that suits your area, you’ll be able to follow some guidelines to shape your tree and train it.
If you’re looking for a unique way to grow cotoneasters in your landscape, consider training them on wire frames. They make great screens, dividers, and even living art. Plants can grow tall or small and they’ll look beautiful next to a warm wall. In colder climates, you can choose other types of cotoneasters, like a tree with fruit.
Chaenomeles
The earliest chaenomeles to bloom are a little under five feet tall. Then they get larger and more beautiful as they mature. There are several cultivars, including dwarf varieties, that will grow only three to five feet high. Despite their dwarf size, they have bright red flowers. Unlike many other plants, Chaenomeles don’t have thorns. They have a water-requirement that is moderate. You can keep the soil moist by mulching the plant and watering at the soil level.
There are many different types of plants that are suitable for espalier, depending on your objectives, site conditions, and patience. For a formal look, dwarf pear trees and apple trees will do well. Both require at least six hours of sun and careful pruning to prevent spurs, which are thickened growths. Alternatively, if you live in a shadier area, flowering camellias and pyracantha will do well. While pyracantha can also be used in an espalier arrangement, they require more space and lend themselves to a more casual design.
Magnolia
The most popular magnolia cultivar is ‘Little Gem’, which grows to be 15 to 20 feet tall and at least 10 feet wide. These trees have stiff, oblong to elliptic leaves that are rusty pubescent on the underside. They grow slowly, gaining about one foot every five to six years. Magnolias are suited to most climates, but they do need protection from harsh conditions.
When choosing the plants for your espalier, keep in mind their climate requirements and desired style. Decide how much shade they need and how much sun they get. If you live in Southern California, you might want to opt for a more compact type that requires less chilling. Likewise, if you live in a colder climate, look for a fruiting tree with a robust whip. As for ornamental species, look for plants with a good habit and seasonally interesting foliage.
If you decide to go with an espalier magnolia, make sure you prune it properly. Use sharp, sterile pruning shears to make clean, angular cuts, and avoid tearing the soft wood. Make sure you allow the plant enough time to heal before replanting. Also, don’t pinch it continually, since it will shed its sap. And remember to stop pruning your magnolia as the growing season draws near.
