Pleaching: is a method of training trees to produce a narrow screen or hedge by tying in and interlacing flexible young shoots along a supporting framework. Use this technique to make walks, arbours, tunnels and arches.

Always select young, whippy plants that are more easily trained for pleaching. Plant in winter and during early years also prune in the winter when plants are leafless and dormant. Train and tie new shoots in over the summer. Once pleached trees have reached their full extent, prune in the summer, pruning to shape the tree growth and reduce its vigour.

Espalier: Espaliers trained into flat two-dimensional forms, are ideal, not only for decorative purposes, but also for gardens in which space is limited. In a temperate climate, they may be planted next to a wall that can reflect more sunlight and retain heat overnight or planted so that they absorb maximum sunlight by training them parallel to the equator.

Please Note: measurements detailed below are approximate.

  • Espalier: Carpinus betulus

    Common Hornbeam. Elegant shaped tree with serrate, ribbed leaves and characteristic grey, fluted bark. Height 25m. Spread 20m. Deciduous. A great hedging plant in exposed locations.

  • Espalier: Ilex mutchagara Nellie R Stevens

    Holly. Evergreen shrub. Fast growth. Smooth, dark glossy leaves with a few spikes contrast well with the orange-red berries in autumn. Abundant white-cream flowers in May-April. Big, shiny scarlet fruit lasting all spring long. Ideal for spot screening. Provide full sun or partial shade.

  • Espalier: Photinia x fraseri Red Robin 1/2 Std

    A spreading, evergreen shrub with glossy dark green leaves, red when young. Small white flowers are followed by bright red fruit. Height 4m. Flower colour: white. Flowers from May to June. Fruit colour: red. Fruits from August. Evergreen. Frost hardy. Planting instructions: Back-fill with soil mixed with peat and a suitable fertiliser.

  • Espalier: Photinia x fraseri Red Robin 3/4 Std

    A spreading, evergreen shrub with glossy dark green leaves, red when young. Small white flowers are followed by bright red fruit. Height 4m. Flower colour: white. Flowers from May to June. Fruit colour: red. Fruits from August. Evergreen. Frost hardy. Planting instructions: Back-fill with soil mixed with peat and a suitable fertiliser.

  • Espalier: Prunus lusitanica Brenelia 1/2 Std

    Portugal Laurel, Laurel. A dense bushy shrub with glossy dark green leaves. Fragrant white flowers on pendent racemes in early summer, followed by red fruit ripening to black. Height 3m. Spread 2m. Flowers from June to July. Fruits from July. Evergreen. For hedging plant 60cm apart.

  • Espalier: Pyracantha In Variety

    Firethorn. A vigorous bushy shrub with dark green leaves. Clusters of flowers are produced in early summer followed by large berries. Height and spread 3m. Flowers from June to July. Fruits from July Evergreen. Hardy. Great against a wall, clip each year to keep tight.

  • Pleached: Carpinus betulus

    Trained Carpinus on a frame. Fantastic structural tree that copes with repeated clipping to maintain shape. Elegant shaped tree with serrated ribbed leaves and characteristic grey fluted bark.

  • Pleached: Elaeagnus x ebbingei Viveleg

    Oleaster. A vigorous shrub with glossy, dark evergreen leaves with golden yellow margins, silvery beneath. Creamy white flowers followed by orange speckled silver fruit. Flowers from September to October. Fruit colour: orange. Fruits from February. Evergreen. A more dramatic version of Gilt edge and more vigorous. Clip annually to shape.

  • Pleached: Fagus sylvatica

    Common Beech. A British native tree with wavy margined leaves, pale at first, turning glossy dark green. Height 25m. Spread 15m. Deciduous.

  • Pleached: Fagus sylvatica Atropunicea

    Copper or Purple Beech. A large tree with light red leaves in spring turning dark purple. Height 18m. Spread 7-10m. Deciduous.

  • Pleached: Ilex aquifolium Nellie R Stevens

    Holly. An evergreen tree. Green self-fertile holly - will berry itself producing red berries in autumn. Clip to keep in shape in September. Plant 3 to 4 m apart for a high level screen.

  • Pleached: Ilex aquifolium Nellie R Stevens 3/4 Std

    Holly. An evergreen tree. Green self-fertile holly - will berry itself producing red berries in autumn. Clip to keep in shape in September. Plant 3 to 4 m apart for a high level screen.

  • Pleached: Ilex x koehneana castaneifolia

    Holly. A conical evergreen shrub with purple tinged stems and big, serrated, light green leaves, produces scarlet fruit. Height 14m. Spread 5m. Flower colour Cream. Flowers from May to June. Fruits from September Evergreen. Hardy.

  • Pleached: Photinia x fraseri Red Robin

    An upright, evergreen shrub with dark green leaves, bright red when young. Small white flowers are sometimes followed by bright red fruit. Height 2m. Spread 2m. Flowers from April to May. Evergreen. Planting instructions Back-fill with soil mixed with peat. Excellent as hedging, space at 75cm intervals and clip once or twice each year.

  • Pleached: Prunus laurocerasus

    Cherry Laurel, Laurel. A more dense, compact, bushy shrub with glossy green leaves. Fragrant white flowers on upright spikes in spring, followed by red fruit ripening to black. Height 3m. Spread 2m. Flowers from April to May. Fruits from June Evergreen. Hardy. Plant two feet apart for hedging and clip twice a year.

  • Pleached: Prunus lusitanica Brenelia 1/2 Std

    Portugal Laurel, Laurel. A dense bushy shrub with glossy dark green leaves. Fragrant white flowers on pendent racemes in early summer, followed by red fruit ripening to black. Height 3m. Spread 2m. Flowers from June to July. Fruits from July. Evergreen. For hedging plant 60cm apart.

  • Pleached: Prunus lusitanica Brenelia 3/4 Std

    Portugal Laurel, Laurel. A dense bushy shrub with glossy dark green leaves. Fragrant white flowers on pendent racemes in early summer, followed by red fruit ripening to black. Height 3m. Spread 2m. Flowers from June to July. Fruits from July. Evergreen. For hedging plant 60cm apart.

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