Some great ideas from Houzz using vines, vertical gardens, trellises, screens, espaliers and more to transform your exterior walls
Start by establishing your desired pattern with wires fastened with nails or eye hooks to the desired wall or fence. Then, plant a vine-like trailing ivy or confederate jasmine to grow along the lines of the trellising, cutting or rewrapping any shoots that stick out from the structure.
Tip: Including some trailing plants — like ivy, pothos, philodendron or grass-like carex can help conceal the vertical growing structure.
If you’re planning to train the espalier yourself, plant the tree against a wall and add trellising to support the espalier structure. Then, choose the primary lateral branches (often in matched pairs for a symmetrical form) and gently pull them down into straight, horizontal lines, fastening them to the trellising. Remove other lateral branches and cut the top part of the trunk where it meets the top of the trellis to encourage lateral growth.
Keep in mind that smaller pots placed in full sun against a heat-reflecting wall will dry out quickly. To counteract these effects, set up a drip irrigation system, be diligent about hand watering or choose heat-loving, drought-tolerant succulents or cactuses.