You've found the famous Dave's Garden website! Join this friendly global community that shares tips and ideas for home and gardens, along with seeds and plants!
Check out the DG homepage for a brief overview of what you'll find in this gardening mega-site.
Login
If you don't have an account yet, visit the registration page to sign up.
Vossner, I love your espalier! Nicely done. Would you explain the steps? I just bought 20, 1 gallon, yuletide sasanquas. I want to espalier them into a diamond pattern. If I understand correctly, I should plant them and wait until after they have bloomed to prune them. In the mean time, my husband wants to put up the eyehooks and wire. ( I'm a little afraid it will be loose and look awful while the plants are growing.) We will be putting the sasanquas on a brick wall. What did you use as guide wires and brackets? How far apart did you plant? And any other useful info you may be willing to pass along. Your picture really encourages me, thank you for sharing.
Thank you mighty scott. My dear husband gets 100% credit for making the espalier. He used 1.5" x 1.5" treated lumber to created the shape. He then affixed to the wall with concrete anchor bolts. I planted three 1 gal. plants, one in ea corner and one in the center. It took 5 yrs to fill the structure. typically I would wait for the vine to grow 3 ft and then I coiled it along the structure, securing the branches w/ twist ties. Once it was full, all I do is trim the runaway branches about once every 4-6 weeks, depending on amount of rain we get. The more rain, the more trimming.
I have no idea how that would work w/ camellias since camellia branches would be rather stiff to coil around the espalier. Having said that, using a different pattern w/ less angles might work better for camellias.
I enjoyed this project and hope you enjoy yours as well. I must tell you that when I first started, I estimated it to be a six month project. ha! five years is what it took, but now that it's done, it seems that it flew by.
Thanks vossner! I have to say I've shown your Asiatic Jasmine espalier to everyone. You did a remarkable job. I've told everyone our yard is a five year project, so I might have that right!!!! The 1.5 x 1.5 might be too much for the camelias, I think I'll pursue the wire. I just have to figure how to get it taut. Or maybe I'll look into bamboo. I love the stuff!!! ! I'm thinking of a diamond pattern. Thanks for your helpful tips and inspiration!
Vossner, thanks for pointing out the structural value of the camellia branch. Hubbie and I went to Lowe's, looking for a solution to my espalier form. He recommended Tapcon screws. Then I saw 4 foot lengths of green twig bamboo! We realized if he put the Tapcons into the wall, I could use the bamboo as a temporary support for the camellia branch. We drew a plan to scale on graph paper, and put the Tapcons in the wall. I gave the poor little camellias a severe pruning and planted them. Then we used the bamboo!!! Yes, it looks delightful! The diamond shape of the espalier is defined by the bamboo, even though our little camellias are sooooo small! It gives shape and form to our crazy yard! You sparked an idea we love, Thank You!
(I hope the camellia's are alive in the morning, I really trimmed them up. Keep your fingers crossed!)
You gotta be kidding! The bamboo makes us happy because it brings back memories, not sure anyone else will love it! My little plants are so small! Tell you what, I'll show a pic today and then in five years, I'll post a pic again! You remember to ask again in five!!!! lol
I'll second that! I have to tell you, we moved to Belmont, NC from Plano, TX! We lived there six years, where I struggled with the previous owners rose garden. It had black spot that I never conquered!
