About Espalier
Espalier refers to the training of a plant or tree to grow flat against a wall or trellis.
Espalier has considerable merit in today's garden design. The practice was originally used in the old world to conserve space in small orchards and gardens. Today, espaliers are mostly used for introducing a decorative accent in the landscape.
An espalier becomes a living sculpture in the garden. In the landscape garden, you can use espaliered plants and trees to cover unsightly, boring, or blank, windowless walls or to create visual screen and barriers. Espalier can bring an otherwise boring wall to life.
Espalier plants are often used by landscape designers between widely spaced windows to add height in the foundation planting. They can also be used in tight, confined areas where spreading shrubs or trees cannot be effectively maintained to stay within the confines.