Transform fences into more than mere functional features by decorating them with the appropriate plants for fence lines. A garden’s visual cohesion can be enhanced by planting against plain fences to soften or camouflage them. In fact, landscaping around the fence line can bring a whole new dimension to an outdoor area because, in addition to using the vertical space, it allows the space to be used in a more effective manner.
There is a great deal of freedom when it comes to choosing the plants for your garden fence. In contrast to climbers, solid wooden fence panels require shrubs trained against them in order to keep the plants from climbing over them. This is because solid wooden fence panels do not have anything to cling on to unless you erect a trellis or wires. For more defining borders and for attaching climbers to them, larger decorative garden trellis panels are ideally suited for defining boundaries and for defining boundaries around an outdoor space.
It may be the case that a line of semi-transparent grasses or perennials could be the perfect solution if your fence is an attractive contemporary style or rustic style and you want to draw attention to it. A good choice for smaller gardens with limited available space is to grow plants that grow close to the fence line and are easily contained along the fence line.
Plants provide privacy without the need for a fence so that your nosy neighbor cannot peer into your yard. You can turn your property into a secluded retreat by choosing one of the many trees, shrubs, and vines available on the market. And, they can save you a lot of money over installing an expensive fence or another kind of privacy structure. In our article on the best plants for fence lines, you’ll find a variety of options from climbing plants, shrubs, and perennials that are suitable for every size and style of the yard.
Ivy
Ivy is a plant that grows in a variety of places all over the world. The aerial roots of this plant make it possible for it to climb up fences without the need for support because it has aerial roots.
The plant forms a wall of foliage and bears flowers and berries in the winter.
Although it may be an invasive shrub, it can easily be trimmed back, thereby keeping it neat and close to the fence line when it gets out of hand. When choosing an ivy plant, you should make sure you select one that is a climber and not a creeper. A variegated foliage plant-like ‘Sulphur Heart’ will make a great addition to any garden if you want to create an interesting background for the other plants in your garden.
Chilean Satin Flower
It is a slim, evergreen perennial that has clumps of narrow, upright leaves with stiff stems that are topped with daisy-like flowers that are white and glitter. It’s also known as a Chilean satin flower.
This plant prefers to grow in full sun and dislikes soil that is flooded with water. The size of the plant is approximately 24 inches (60 cm) across. This plant is commonly found in the UK, Australia, and the United States (but not in the Rockies or Alaska).
Morning Glory
This twining plant is an attractive choice for fence line coverage if you are looking for fast-growing hedges. The leaves have a heart shape, and it has bright blue flowers from July to the end of October. The best bloom times are early morning and late afternoon.
A single plant can reach heights of 10ft (3m) in one season, but it requires full sun to grow. In warm, tropical climates, it remains perennial. Pruning isn’t necessary, but removing the seed pods will prevent them from spreading into the neighbor’s yard and becoming invasive.
Japanese Anemones
There are a number of plants that are suitable for fence lines, and Japanese anemones are a great option. As well as being tall and non-floppy, they have upright flowers that seem to float above the foliage and are surrounded by rich foliage. In the late summer and early autumn, they add a nice splash of color along the fence line and also give it a pleasing structure.
If you are looking for frilly, pink double flowers on 5ft (1.5m) stems, try Königin Charlotte, otherwise known as ‘Honorine Jobert’, which has single white cups with a rounded bud.
Unlike other plants, these plants thrive in partial shade and in soil that is dry, so if you happen to have a fence with a rain shadow, this won’t be an issue. When flowers finish blooming, deadhead the plants and cut them back. You should divide Japanese anemones every couple of years to maintain their control.
Clematis
In order to grow clematis successfully, you’ll want to provide them with a trellis or wire to attach their tendrils to.
There are three main types of clematis: those that bloom early, those that flower early to mid-season, and those that bloom late. When the flowers have faded, you won’t have to prune an evergreen clematis; the foliage lasts through the winter.
Clematis armandii’ Apple Blossom’ and Cartmanii’ Avalanche’ have pretty white flowers in thick clusters.
There are many benefits to climbing clematis, and they are among the best climbing plants you will ever encounter. They are also good for growing along fence lines since their roots love the shade, while their stems and top growth do well in the sun.
Euonymus
A variety of euonymus shrubs are available- from greens to golds to variegated types. Despite poor soils and all types of weather, this shrub is able to withstand all types of conditions. When pruned into tree shapes, euonymus can provide a lush hedge or a large impact when planted close together.
Verbena Bonariensis
It is rare to find a plant that is so elegant and yet so easy to maintain. Verbena bonariensis is characterized by its small, purple flowers atop a lattice of thin stems that makes its screens stylish and see-through. It is one of those plants that grow upward rather than outward, which makes it an ideal plant to highlight a fence line in a narrow garden border due to its upward growth.
Seeds or young plants can be grown. The plants will reach 6ft (1.8m) in a season, no matter what. They will provide an attractive, frosted structure as well as seeds to finches, even when they die off over winter. During the autumn months, the plants will appreciate a layer of mulch around them.
Mexican Feather Grass
Ornamental grasses aren’t usually one of the first plants to come to mind when it comes to screen options, but they make excellent fence line plants.
Stipa tenuissima, also known as Mexican feather grass, ponytail grass, or Mexican feather grass, adds a splash of texture to your fence line with its white panicles of silvery gold flowers that keep their upright fine shape while they bloom.
You don’t have to worry about it overwhelming you, as it only grows to a height of 24 inches (60 cm) and a width of 16 inches (40 cm). Suitable for any type of soil, it is easy to care for, prefers a sunny position, and requires little attention. If you want to start over from scratch in the spring, you can cut it back to the ground.
Cypress
There are few trees that are as tall and slender as this elegant cypress which can provide a lot of privacy in a backyard. As a result, if you are looking for a plant that provides fast privacy to your outdoor space, this Leyland variety is the perfect option since it is a very fast-growing tree. The height is up to 5 feet annually, which means you should be able to block out curious eyes within a few seasons. Keep in mind, however, that fast-growing trees also come with a higher maintenance requirement, so keep that in mind before making your choice.
Australian Cherry
Sometimes called Lilly Pilly, this shrub (also spelled lilli pilli) forms a low-maintenance screen with dark green leaves tipped with pink. It grows along fence lines if you plant it close to them and in almost any soil in sun or partial shade, and it is an evergreen shrub, so it provides year-round coverage.
An Australian native plant, it thrives in Mediterranean-style climates, as well as some regions of the United States. It produces pink fruits in the autumn and creamy flowers during the summer. It requires little maintenance. You can never go wrong if you keep it evenly trimmed, so it offers a harmonious backdrop for the rest of your garden that will never bore you.
Climbing Roses
There is no better choice than Rosa banksiae ‘Lutea’ as it is a fast-growing, thornless climber that produces clusters of small, golden yellow flowers once or twice a year, which provide a pleasant contrast to the black foliage. Depending on the conditions, this plant can grow up to 30ft (10m) high if left unattended. The scented, creamy flowers of ‘Rambling Rector’ would be perfect for a fence line in a large garden with plenty of room to spare.
In order to train the growth of climbing roses, they need to be attached to a fence through a wooden or wire trellis. It is recommended to tie the shoots at intervals of approximately 20 inches (50 cm) with twine or garden ties.
Hydrangea
Making learning how to grow hydrangeas a priority should be on your to-do list if you want to establish a truly stylish fence line shrub. In contrast to covering up a pretty painted fence, their “pom pom heads” will draw attention to it.
It is important to keep hydrangeas moist and not to let them dry out.
This gorgeous deciduous variety of hydrangea turns lime green to cream and then pale pink in the fall. ‘Preziosa’ has powerful mophead flowers that are light pink in the beginning and then change to a light blue/mauve in the middle.
Blue flowers are usually produced in acidic soils, while pink ones are produced in neutral soils.
Honeysuckle
There’s always something to see with tubular blooms and shiny red berries from early summer to autumn. However, there needs to be some support on the fence for their slim, flexible stems, which twine.
Easily grown and effective, this climber is great for landscaping. Late summer and late winter are the best times to prune honeysuckle stems back by a third, to prevent them from swamping your fence.
This semi-evergreen shrub is called Lonicera japonica’ Darts Wall.’ It loses some leaves in winter, so it’s good for winter decorations. Moreover, it blooms in the spring and autumn and has a sweet scent. An abundant cottage garden look can be achieved by planting honeysuckle along the fence line with climbing roses. To ensure that you are guaranteed winter protection, check before purchasing honeysuckle varieties that are deciduous.
Red Twig Dogwood
It displays a bright red thicket of branches in the fall after losing its leaves. Red twig dogwood is deciduous. The plant can withstand extreme temperatures and soggy soils, and it can provide a habitat for wildlife throughout the year. It produces an impressive display in a yard when it reaches 8 feet high and 10 feet wide.
Lilac
These plants are suitable for planting as hedges and with their colorful and pleasant-smelling blooms, they make attractive privacy plants, as they make a great addition to any garden. If you are situated in a shady spot, you might want to choose another hedge option instead of lilacs since they require a lot of sunlight.
Additionally, they need to be pruned every year. To promote new growth and healthy flowering, remove dead and damaged branches.
Bamboo
A bamboo privacy screen can be constructed very quickly since it is one of the fastest-growing plants on earth. If you want to keep bamboo under control, choose a type that grows slowly and clumps together, or plant it in large raised planters. Bamboos are long known for being a privacy plant, providing cover to yards.
Conclusion
Using a fence helps create an unattractive strip of grass that does little to increase your home’s curb appeal.
Here’s the solution: Get yourself some plants and you’ll be fine!
It is not only that they give your yard a much-needed boost in color and life, but they also provide some security for you and your family. Stuffing the fence with plants is a genius way of decorating the yard and making the space greener!
FAQs
What can I plant along a fence line?
A lot of plants can actually help you maintain your privacy within your yard. Plants can help you keep the boundary between you and your neighbors’ yard, keeping your space secured. It is possible to maintain a beautiful garden or patio by planting flowers, shrubs, and trees in your yard. They also provide natural protection from the sun, rain, and cold. Plants are perfect to cover a boring, ugly fence!
