There’s something special about picking fruit straight from your own tree. An edible garden brings food, colour, and purpose to your outdoor space — whether you have a large backyard, a small courtyard, or just a sunny fence line.
Why Edible Gardens Are So Popular
Edible gardens are a beautiful way to make the most of your space. They provide fresh, home-grown produce while also adding life, colour, and interest to the garden.
People love them because they:
- Provide home-grown food
- Blend beauty with functionality
- Support a more sustainable lifestyle
- Suit both large and small spaces
- Create seasonal interest throughout the year
Edible plants can be just as attractive as ornamental ones. Citrus trees, figs, blueberries, herbs, and espaliered apples or pears all bring texture, colour, and structure to the garden.
What is Espalier?
Espalier is the art of training a fruit tree to grow flat against a wall, fence, or wire frame. It is a lovely way to turn an ordinary boundary into something productive and beautiful.
Originally developed in European kitchen gardens, espalier is now a smart choice for modern homes with smaller blocks and compact outdoor spaces. It helps you make the most of a sunny wall or narrow side area while keeping the garden looking neat and intentional.
Benefits of espalier include:
- Perfect for narrow or compact spaces
- Easier pruning and harvesting
- Better airflow and sunlight exposure
- Strong visual structure
- Ideal for courtyards and smaller blocks
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Great for courtyards, fences, and privacy screens
It is also very satisfying to watch a tree slowly take shape over time, with flowers in spring, fruit through the season, and a tidy branching pattern in winter.
Best Fruits for WA Gardens
Choosing the right fruit tree comes down to your space, sunlight, and what you enjoy eating. Some of the best options for WA gardens include:
Citrus
Lemons, limes, mandarins, and oranges thrive in sunny positions and grow well in both pots and garden beds.
Apples & Pears
Classic choices for espalier and perfect along fences or walls.
Figs
Hardy, low maintenance, and highly rewarding once established.
Stone Fruit
Peaches, nectarines, and plums are summer favourites full of flavour.
Blueberries
Ideal for pots and small spaces when planted in acidic soil.
Many of these varieties respond beautifully to espalier training, particularly apples, pears, citrus, and figs.
Where Espalier Works Best
Espalier thrives in sunny locations with support from a wall, fence, or wire system. North-facing positions are ideal for maximising sunlight and fruit production.
It works beautifully in:
- Courtyards
- Along boundary fences
- Kitchen gardens
- Beside entertaining areas
- Poolside spaces
- Narrow side access areas
Even a plain fence can become a standout feature with espaliered fruit trees.
How to Espalier a Fruit Tree — Simple Step-by-Step
How to Espalier a Fruit Tree
1. Choose the right tree
The easiest trees to espalier are apples, pears, citrus, and figs. Start with a young tree, ideally one to two years old.
2. Pick a sunny spot
Choose a fence, wall, or wire frame that gets at least six hours of sun each day.
3. Set up support wires
Attach horizontal wires to the fence or wall. Place the first wire about 40–50 cm from the ground, then space the rest 30–40 cm apart.
4. Plant the tree
Plant it 15–30 cm away from the fence or wall so the roots have room to grow.
5. Select the main branches
Choose one central upright stem and two side branches growing opposite each other. These will become the first horizontal arms.
6. Tie branches to the wires
Gently bend and tie the side branches along the wire using soft garden ties. Let the centre stem keep growing upward for the next level.
7. Prune regularly
During the growing season, remove unwanted shoots, trim strong upright growth, and keep the shape flat and tidy.
8. Repeat each level
As the tree grows, form another pair of horizontal branches and tie them to the next wire. Over time, the tree builds a layered pattern.
9. Be patient
Espalier takes time, usually two to three years to shape properly, but the result is productive, attractive, and worth the effort.
Starting Small
You don’t need a huge backyard to begin. Often it starts with just one plant.
Simple ways to get started include:
A lemon tree in a pot
A raised herb garden
Espalier apples along a fence
Seasonal vegetables mixed through ornamental beds
The best gardens are the ones that include plants you genuinely enjoy harvesting and using at home.
Seasonal Tips for WA Gardeners
Autumn & Winter
Plant bare-root fruit trees, prune deciduous varieties, and improve soil with compost and organic matter.
Spring
Feed fruit trees, encourage fresh growth, and plant herbs and warm-season vegetables.
Summer
Mulch well, water deeply during hot weather, and enjoy harvesting citrus and stone fruit.
A Garden That Gives Back
An edible garden is about more than growing food. It creates a space that feels rewarding through every season and encourages you to spend more time outdoors.
Whether it is a single espalier pear along a fence or a backyard full of fruit trees, every edible garden starts with one plant.