Espaliers and plums

[kerry]

Can anyone suggest varieties of apples and pears that are suitable for growing as espaliers? Also, i love plums but from reading about them it seems plum trees grow very large and are difficult to keep in check . Don't want anything too big so should i abandon the dream of delicious, home grown, juicy plums or is there a way to keep them managable? Grateful (as usual) for any advice. (Maybe one day i will even know enough to be able to GIVE advice!)

[nick the grief]

most Apples & pears can be grown as Espaliers Kerry. If you look through the catalogues (Ken Muirs is a good one) or the "Fruit Expert" it will tell you what is the best stock to get your variety on.

As to varietes it depends what sort of apples & pears you like. I'm not a fan of Cox's but love things like Worcester Pearmain & Russets. Some of the ones you buy in the supermarkets won't do to well in our climates though so don't go by them too much.

Also, Pears need to have a bit more warmth than apples so if you can grow them against a fence better still (a wall's even better) & can suffer from late frosts catching the blossoms (bit of fleece over them at night would be good.

As to Plums, you can get them on dwarf rootstock that limit the size of the tree a bit or try a columnar one (minarettes I think they are sold as).

[kerry]

Thanks again Nick, very helpful - will look for website for ken muirs and maybe i can try a plum after all! Only had allotment for a few weeks and am amazed at just how friendly and helpful everyone is both down at the allotment site and here on this internet site!

[Lesley Jay]

Kerry the link for Ken Muir is www.kenmuir.co.uk we get all our fruit from him.