Good morning and welcome to another Floral Bar Sunday!
December is flying by, the snow and cold are still encompassing West Michigan, and somehow Christmas is right around the corner. I have yet to finish any of the necessary shopping, but what’s new - every year I seem to shop later and later. December is always a time of year where reflections of the past year take up a large part of my brain, and right now change and growth are weighing heavy. Two days a week I have a scenic drive to work about forty minutes west in Saugatuck, Michigan, and on that drive there’s an endless strip of trees alongside the highway that have been there for hundreds of years and change with the seasons. As I began that job in the height of summertime, the trees were the boldest and fullest green you’d ever seen, the different hues creating depth and purpose in the natural landscape. As we transitioned to the bounty of the autumn season, each tree took on its own personality - almost as if they were trying to stand up to each other - instead creating harmony and awe to anyone who passed by. When the cold comes, plants begin to go dormant or die off for the season. We see the exposed, wiry branches of the trees that were once springing with life. When the snow settles on the branches and the sky is black at five in the evening, there is a beautiful sense of peace that entices you to stay in that exact moment forever.
While we tend to think of winter as a time of dormancy and death, the exposed branches do more than meet the eye for avid gardener. Winter is the best time of year to prune , as the branches are exposed and you can see the structure of the tree. There is also less insect infestation and the chance for fungal infections decreases dramatically. Practicing this in the off-season is the best way to maintain your trees. A great way to maintain your trees and maximize this potential is through espalier.
Espalier is the ancient horticultural and agricultural practice of controlling woody plant growth for the production of fruit. Plants are shaped in formal patterns, flat against a structure such as a wall or trellis. Not only are these used for decorative purposes, they are also ideal for gardens where space is limited. Flat, two-dimensional espaliers trained against a wall reflect sunlight and retain heat overnight, or oriented so they absorb maximum sunlight. These strategies allow for the season to be extended so the fruits have more time to mature. Any major pruning for these plants is typically accomplished when the plant is dormant (WINTER!!), or for flowering plants, during the proper season for that species. The bending and training of the limbs in the espalier process - for those that are part of the design - is done during the summer season, where they are most flexible, and the shape is dependent on the plant’s natural form and the complexity of the desired pattern.
These images will show you some examples of espalier patterns - can you imagine how beautiful these would be on a bare wall or trellis in your garden? Book a consultation with us so we can plan for your 2025 garden, and consider espalier to shake things up a bit! We’d love to make your garden stand out and create a safe place to enjoy your morning coffee and evening glass of wine.
I hope you all enjoy your Sunday and pencil in some relaxation before the holiday madness is at its peak. Stay warm and safe out there friends!
Xoxo,
Alyssa & The Floral Bar Team
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