Shrubs That Are Able to Be Trained to Grow on Cables Flat on a Wall

Camellias

Two species of camellia are appropriate espalier choices. Both evergreens come in a variety of cultivars. The camellia (Camellia japonica) grows to 15 feet with a 10-foot spread. It has stiff branches covered in dense, glossy foliage and produces 5-inch white, pink, red or multicolored flowers from winter through spring. The sasanqua camellia (C. sasanqua) grows quickly to 10 feet with a 7-foot spread. It blooms with 3-inch red, white and pink flowers in fall and has leathery, glossy foliage. Camellias prefer partial shade and moist, acidic soil.

Photinias make good choices for less-formal espaliers. The Chinese photinia (P. serrulata) grows quickly to 25 feet tall with a 20-foot spread. This drought-tolerant shrub has bronze new growth that matures to a glossy dark green. It produces red fruits. The Japanese or red-tip (P. glabra) grows to 12 feet tall and 10 feet wide. It has red-bronze new foliage. The Fraser (P. x fraseri), a hybrid, grows to 15 feet tall with an equal spread. It tolerates drought and salt spray. These upright evergreens all prefer full sun to partial shade and well-drained soil and bloom in spring with white flowers.

Though most espalier shrubs are evergreen, deciduous shrubs add colorful fall foliage to flat surfaces. The N.C. State University Extension recommends viburnums for espalier. They grow in a range of sizes, colors and forms, including the bracted viburnum (V. bracteatum), which reaches 10 feet tall with a similar spread. It has thick stems and dark leaves that turn copper and yellow in fall. Bracted viburnum produces white flowers followed by blue-purple fruits. The wayfaringtree viburnum (V. lantana) grows to 15 feet tall with an equal spread. It has blue-green foliage that turns purple and red in fall and produces yellow, red and black drupes in late summer. Both prefer sun to partial shade and well-drained soil.

The University of Florida Extension recommends juniper (Juniperus spp.) shrubs due to their heat and drought tolerance and variety of available cultivars. For a splash of bright color on a low wall, choose Gold Sovereign (J. x pfitzeriana "Gold Sovereign"). This 2-foot-tall evergreen has bright yellow foliage and retains its color throughout the year. It spreads to 3 feet wide and grows slowly. The Angelica Blue pfitzer (J. chinensis "Angelica Blue") also grows slowly, but reaches heights of 6 feet. This juniper has blue-green foliage and dense branches. Both grow best in full sun and well-drained soil.

Two species of podocarpus are particularly well suited for espalier. The shrubby podocarpus (P. macrophyllus) grows slowly to 35 feet tall with a 12-foot spread. This evergreen has vertical branches and glossy needles. Male plants produce catkins and females produce edible, purple-red fruits. The weeping podocarpus (P. gracilior) grows up to 30 feet tall and thrives in warm climates. This evergreen has low-growing, pendulous branches covered with bright-green new growth that matures to dark green. Both prefer full sun to partial shade and well-drained to dry soil.