you could also train them to a freestanding fence or trellis.
Depending on the plant, this can take a year or two to establish and requires regular care.
Thereafter, an espalier requires only light pruning to hold its shape.
Espalier is a traditional, though labor-intensive, way to decorate courtyard walls.
Instructions
Step 1: Plan your pattern.Espalier fruit trees in a pattern.
Fruit trees are often grown horizontally (diagram A) to maximize the fruit set.
Or, the branches can be turned up (B and C) to produce a more compact pattern.
For quick coverage of longwalls, consider planting several trees and training them into a Belgianfencepattern (D).
Look for a plant that already has a start on the branching pattern you want.
double-check the plant is suitable for the location.
Wire isn’t necessary for vertical branches; they’ll grow that way naturally.
Step 5: Plant the tree or shrub.Set the plant about a foot in front of the support structure.
Position the plant so that at least two of the strongest branches run in the direction of the wires.
Step 6: Train the branches.Remove all but two shoots on each branch.
Attach the remaining shoots to the wires with soft ties.
As the central trunk grows, keep removing side shoots.
