Did you know that The Grand Ole Apiary sits on a grand total of 450 sqm of land? Yet, we have 10 different fruit trees growing. No, we haven’t given over our entire outdoor space to the fruit trees. In fact, only one, my beloved Frankenapple, takes up any space at all! How? Espaliered fruit trees! They are absolutely perfect for cottagestead gardens.
Cottagestead gardens may be small, but they can still pack a punch! Along with the herbs and perennial vegetables we have spotted around the place, we have espaliered fruit trees growing along much of our fence line. Citrus and olives on the hot North facing fences, deciduous apples and peaches on the south facing ones that only get sun in Summer.
In any small garden, you quickly realise that most of your available space is actually vertical. Use it! We have covered some west facing surfaces in mesh to allow grape vines and passion fruits to grow. This shades the walls from the Summer heat and provides gorgeous organic fruit we would otherwise not have.
A similar effect can be had with espaliered fruit trees against the hottest walls of your home. If you use deciduous trees, you have the added benefit of allowing the sun through in Winter too.
It is really quite easy to create your own espaliered fruit tree. Sure, there are many different art forms and traditional designs. But really you just need to prune your tree in such a way that it grows flat against your wall or fence. This is as easy as trimming away any growth that is going the wrong direction.
Give it a go! When you get really good at it, you can try some of the amazing decorative designs found in those gorgeous old pottager gardens we all love!!!
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