From Katikati to Your Backyard
Espalar is proudly made in Katikati, New Zealand. Our wire systems are designed to make espalier simple, durable, and beautiful — for gardeners of all levels, everywhere.
Meet Our Founder
Dr. Simon McDonald is the mind behind Espalar — a serial inventor and entrepreneur with a passion for creating practical, well-engineered solutions. Before founding Espalar, Simon built a global reputation in the dental industry through Rhondium, a company known for its innovation in clinical tools.
His background in precision manufacturing and ownership of a plastic injection moulding facility allows Espalar to design and produce our components in-house, right here in Katikati. It’s this unique combination of engineering expertise and hands-on production that ensures every Espalar kit meets the highest standards of quality, durability, and ease of use.
At Espalar, we believe that growing plants should be simple, purposeful, and satisfying — whether you're working with a rural orchard or a small suburban fence. What started as a clever idea for a better trellis system has grown into a trusted, all-in-one solution used by gardeners and landscapers across the country — and now across the Pacific.
We're proud to manufacture all of our UV-stable plastic components at our local factory, and we design and assemble every Espalar kit right here in Katikati, a small town nestled between the hills and the coast of New Zealand's Bay of Plenty. It’s a region known for its fertile soil, productive orchards, and strong connection to the land — a fitting place to build something that helps others grow.
In 2025, we proudly expanded into the United States, bringing our practical and proven espalier system to a whole new generation of growers. Whether you're building a backyard food wall in California or a climbing garden on the East Coast, Espalar kits are now helping gardeners across North America grow smarter, neater, and with confidence.
We’ve taken inspiration from the timeless practice of espalier — a technique refined over centuries — and reimagined it for modern gardens. Our system is engineered to be not only strong and functional, but genuinely easy to use. Whether you’re training fruit trees, climbing flowers, or seasonal vegetables, Espalar helps you create structured beauty that lasts season after season.
Each component is selected with care. Our wire is marine-grade stainless steel. Our fasteners are robust. Our UV-resistant components are proudly manufactured at our factory in Katikati and built to endure harsh outdoor conditions. And yes — even the tools we supply are chosen to make the job easier from day one.
We're a family-run operation with practical roots and high standards. We know the satisfaction of stepping back and seeing something grow — not just with life, but with intention. That’s why we design our kits to be approachable for beginners, but reliable enough for professionals.
Thanks for supporting local. And thanks for growing with us.
Blog posts
How to Prune an Espaliered Grape Vine
How to Train a Jasmine Vine
