"I've traveled in Europe a bit, and I've seen a lot of espaliered items," says Fong. "Some are two, three stories tall. And some in small pots. ... I've always liked it."
While he had seen elaborate espaliers, such as benches made out of living plants, he chose simpler designs. The apple trees he planted in a row in the back of his property stretch out laterally along a fence. A gala pear, which he bought about four years ago, is bent to a ring shape.
Fong, a hairdresser, is not intimidated by the pruning the espaliers require. And evergreens in his front yard have been shaped into topiaries. He credits his professional training with aiding his gardening skills. "I think it works hand-in-hand - seeing what the best form is."
Although he would like to sell his home and move to a smaller place, he doesn't plan to give up gardening. "I'll probably always have one," he says.
Favorite Plants Chinese cucumbers. "They are great in salads and they are in high demand because everyone keeps asking me for them." Also, Asian pear apples.
Tips "Start with good soil. Don't try to start your plants too early. Don't bother to start them indoors."
Gardener series returns
In our search for the best gardens in the Baltimore area, we came across many outstanding examples of beauty and creativity flourishing in the yards around us. We decided to show you some of these gardens in our Gardener of the Week series, which returns next week on our Web page at baltimoresun.com/gardener. Read about these talented gardeners and see photos of their work starting Saturday.
Contest judging
In choosing the winners, judges considered the overall composition of each garden, the degree of difficulty and the gardener's creativity as well as use of native plants and environmentally sound practices. The judges were Master Gardeners and Sun designers Joannah Hill and Carrie Lyle, Sun lifestyle editor Liz Atwood, Sun columnist and garden writer Susan Reimer, Maryland Cooperative Extension Service horticulture consultant Ellen Nibali and Maryland Horticultural Society treasurer Helene Clapperton.
