As a supplement to a new post I wrote for Houzz on espaliers, I would like to share a few local (Southern California) resources for these space-saving beauties — all ready for your Christmas list.
Bountiful Gardens is a hidden gem in Lakeview Terrace. Now open to the public after years of selling exclusively to the trade, the nursery specializes in heirloom vegetables, herbs and fruit trees, unusual succulents, and other rare plants grown onsite. (See photos.)
Lincoln Avenue Nursery is a Pasadena nursery with a large stock of espaliered apple, pear and citrus trees as well as ornamental trees such as Southern Magnolia and Japanese Maple.
Marina Del Rey Garden Center offers citrus espaliers, berries and others specifically selected for coastal climates.
To get you inspired, the first images are of mature espaliers I saw this fall at Angelesey Abbey in the United Kingdon, followed by some of the more unusual patterns and varieties available locally.
Love it. One question: If I wanted to do this on a fence, would I need to worry about roots eventually messing with the fence? Do I need to worry about any other way in which this might mess with a fence?
Hi Margaret – The root question depends on what type of tree you are planning on espaliering. If you are training a fruit tree, you don’t have to worry. I would recommend a dwarf variety, however, not necessarily because of the roots, but because the fruit will be easier to reach. The tree will need support; you could use wire running from fence post to fence post, with the tree planted between the posts. (Hope that makes sense!)