The practice of training plants dates back to the Romans and Egyptians, but it was the Europeans—specifically the French—who influenced and perfected the techniques we see today. Certainly the term ‘Espalier’ is borrowed from the French meaning ‘something to rest the shoulder against’.
in Dorset.
What is Espalier?
Examples of espalier can be found in parks and gardens throughout France. One popular garden is the kitchen garden at Château Chenonceau that is bordered by apple trees espaliered along a low wire.
Pleached or espaliered trees can often be used to create instant screening around a garden, increasing the height of a fence to give privacy or against a wall for architectural interest and design flair.
Espalier work in almost any garden type: be it a courtyard garden, a grand country garden or anywhere in between.
Vertical planting creates colour and structure in addition espalier can be kept in containers or planted in the garden. So incredibly versatile as well as visually striking.
We have Espalier Wisteria ‘Sinensis’ available and Espalier Olive trees which is rare to find, we have had them grown specially for us by our suppliers in Tuscany.
