#espalier

Plant of the Day

Friday 29 May 2026

In the amazing Amisfield Walled Garden, East Lothian, that is gardened by community, volunteers, were these espalier trained Malus domestica ‘James Grieve’ (apple). This is a Scottish variety developed some time before 1893 when it was first recorded. The fruit is medium sized and stippled with orange-red.

I have recently learned of a whimsical and venerable agricultural practice called espalier, and it made me think of you.

What it was in particular about these carefully pruned and nurtured fruit trees growing in planful patterns against a wall... I cannot be sure. 😂

The old world magic of clever science and growing things, maybe?

THEY ARE SO PRETTY and YOU HAVE TO LOOOOOOK.

If anyone knows how to get me to show my face after a long absence it's SPARKLYHYPERBOLE WITH THE ESPALIER COMING IN CLUTCH

Real quick, for the uninitiated: espalier is the ancient practice of pruning and training trees to grow into unique two dimensional shapes, either against a wall or free-standing trellis. It has both decorative and practical value: trees trained on a sun-facing wall that retains heat will have an extended growing season, and horizontally-trained branches can produce higher yields with less space and are easier to harvest.

There's also a particular diamond-shaped method that I just learned is called Belgian Fencing, and I am a fan:

ANYWAY ALL THIS TO SAY THAT SPARKLYHYPERBOLE KNOWS ME SUPER DUPER WELL AND YES I AM GOING TO JUST POP UP OUT OF NOWHERE TO TALK ABOUT THIS 😂🦋

Inspiration for a small timeless backyard stone patio remodel

Partridge In A Pear Tree brooch by Cadoro, 1960s