The best plants for a fence line: transform your fence into a vibrant and lively garden border in 2023 (2024)
Although it would be nice if we could all have enormous gardens with sweeping lawns and borrowed views, for most of us this isn't the case. In a majority of gardens there will be fencing separating your property from that of your neighbours or the public space beyond. Some fences can be decorative and add form to the garden, however they are often simply used to mark boundaries and need a bit of help to add anything to the aesthetic of the space.
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Growing plants on the fence line is a great way of covering an ugly fence, adding height to your garden and increasing your growing space. Here we recommend some of the best plants to use for this.
Best plants for fence line in 2023
Climbing plants for a fence line
Clematis montana 'Elizabeth'
There are many varieties of clematis, and almost all of them are great plants for fence lines. Clematis montana 'Elizabeth' is particularly popular as it has very vigorous growth. In spring, 'Elizabeth' produces a mass of scented pale pink flowers against bronzed trifoliate leaves which would easily brighten up a garden fence. They are also tolerant of a wide range of soils, and like their roots to be slightly shaded which makes them a great plant for fence lines. This plant has an RHS Award of Garden Merit too.
Actinidia kolomikta, also known as a kiwi vine, makes for an excellent fence line plant due to its striking foliage. It is a vigorous climber that has twining stems, so will need some support with climbing from either a trellis or some wiring. The ovate leaves on mature plants are tipped with silver and later with vibrant pink. These plants like to be in a sunny spot so would be perfect for a south-facing fence. They also produce white flowers in summer but are predominately grown as a foliage plant.
Lonicera
Lonicera, or honeysuckle, are some of the best plants for fence lines. There are lots of different varieties to choose from and not only do they provide beautiful flowers, many of them also have an amazing scent too.
Climbing roses make great fencing plants due to their decorative blooms. Rosa banksiae is especially good as it has thornless stems and is semi-evergreen. In late spring, 'Alba Plena' produces clusters of small, double white flowers with a lovely perfume. This rose can grow to be very large, so is best chosen for bigger areas of fence that need covering.
Ipomoea purpurea 'Star of Yelta', also known as morning glory, is a great choice if you're looking for something to cover a fence quickly. It's a half-hardy annual and produces trumpet-shaped purple flowers which open in the morning and last only one day. They're great for pollinators and make for quick and easy fencing plants.
Hydrangeaanomala subsp. petiolaris
This hydrangea is the best flowering climbers for fence lines and they are tolerant of full shade too. As it is self-clinging, it is perfect for climbing directly onto fences and for adding interest to areas of the garden where you might be struggling to find things that thrive. The fresh green oval leaves turn yellow in autumn before falling and in summer there are displays of showy white flowers.
Shrubs for a fence line
Photinia 'Red Robin'
Photinia 'Red Robin' is an excellent plant for the fence line and for hedging. The colourful young foliage creates an attractive display and as they are evergreen theses plants are perfect for screening out an ugly fence all year round.
Ceanothus are the perfect shrubs for a fence line. Also known as Californian lilac, these evergreen shrubs produce clusters of deep blue flowers against glossy foliage. Ceanothus 'Skylark' flowers between May and June. These shrubs benefit from the protection provided by fences, so its a win-win!
Pyracantha 'Saphyr Rouge'
Pyracantha are another great group of fencing plants. In spring and summer 'Saphyr Rouge' produces masses of white flowers, similar to that of hawthorn and in autumn these give way to an abundance of orange-red berries. They work very well for training along a fence line and as hedging.
Euonymus japonicus 'Paloma Blanca'
Euonymus japonicus 'Paloma Blanca', or Japanese spindle is another good option for screening a fence. These shrubs are evergreen and only grow to about 70cm, making them easy to manage as a fence line plant. In spring, the leaves open cream and mature to a dark green which leads to a two-toned effect at this time of year.
Hydrangeas are one of the best shrubs for the fence line as they enjoy shade so can be planted where other, more sun loving plants wouldn't thrive. This variety has deep pink flowers that will bloom from early summer, much sooner than many other varieties. On acidic soils these blooms will become more mauve. The fresh green foliage will provide some nice autumn colours. Hydrangea macrophylla prefer a moist soil and are happy in a sunny or semi-shaded spot. They are fully hardy and will grow up to 1.2 metres.
What is the best plant to cover a fence?
This really depends on the size of your fence and space, the aspect of the growing space and at what time of year you want it to look good. If you're looking for overall coverage then something like ivy or Parthenocissus might be the right choice. If you're looking for something specifically decorative to add to the back of a spring or summer border then you may want to consider roses, clematis or jasmine. There is no one-size-fits-all when it comes to choosing the best plants for a fence line as every garden is different.
How close to a fence can you plant?
For planting on a fence line, you should leave at least a 30cm gap between the fence and the plant, preferably closer to 45cm if you can. This is because both the plant and the fence need space to breathe, and the fence will cast a rain shadow at its base, meaning that your plants may not get enough water if they are planted too close.
Can you grow plants on your neighbours fence?
Not without their permission. According to BLB Solicitors 'you must not paint, repair or otherwise interfere with your neighbour’s fence without their permission. To do so would be causing criminal damage.' So, if you want to grow plants up a fence in your garden, you must first check who the fence belongs to, and ask the owner whether they mind you growing plants up it from your side. If they say yes and the plants cause damage to the fence, you may be liable for repairing the damage.
Can you grow plants up a fence without a trellis?
Yes, it's very possible to grow some plants up a fence without the use of trellis. Some plants are self-clinging, so need no support to grow. These can be damaging to the wood though so you should always do some research before growing a self-climbing plant up your fence. Another way of growing plants along a fence line without trellis is by using supportive wires. These can be attached at intervals along the fence and are useful for growing things like jasmine, honeysuckle or Trachelospermum.
Can I grow trees along my fence line?
It can be tricky to grow trees along a fence line as their roots will span very widely and need more space than other plants. It is also important to consider whether any branches will overhang into neighbouring gardens, which could cause disputes. However, you could try growing small trees or trained fruit trees along a fence line, provided that there is enough space for their roots at the base of the fence.
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An unattractive fence is a disguised opportunity to introduce some beautiful climbing flora and fauna into your garden. Hopefully our roundup has introduced you to some exciting new plants to spruce up your fence with, and if your looking for more plant ideas, check out the best places to buy plants online here.
Hydrangeas are one of the best shrubs for the fence line as they enjoy shade so can be planted where other, more sun loving plants wouldn't thrive. This variety has deep pink flowers that will bloom from early summer, much sooner than many other varieties. On acidic soils these blooms will become more mauve.
What are the Fastest Growing Privacy Hedges? With growth rates from 3 to 5 feet per year the fastest growing privacy hedges are Thuja Green Giant, Leyland Cypress, Cryptomeria Radicans, and Wax Myrtle.
Space your shrubs and plants slightly away from it. A curving bed of plants rather than a straight line softens the straight lines of the fence. For great visual appeal, layer the flower beds and plants along your fence. Arrange short plants in the front, medium-sized in the middle, and the tallest ones in the back.
Failing the placement on the boundary line, the closest that the bushes can be planted is between 8–9 feet away. This distance is larger than the requirement when planting trees on property line because the bushes can easily expand in both directions, encroaching onto the neighbor's property if care isn't taken.
Bamboo is one of the fastest-growing plants in the world, so it can create a lush and exotic privacy screen very quickly. Some varieties of bamboo are invasive, so consider picking a slow-spreading, clumping variety, or planting it in large raised planters to keep it under control.
Some species of bamboo can grow more than 1 meter per day, which is about 4 cm per hour. No other plant grows faster. Two examples of such fast growing bamboos are Madake (Phyllostachys reticulata) and Moso (Phyllostachys edulis).
Bamboos include some of the fastest-growing plants in the world, due to a unique rhizome-dependent system. Certain species of bamboo can grow 91 centimetres (36 inches) within a 24-hour period, at a rate of almost 40 millimeters (11⁄2 in) an hour (equivalent to 1 mm every 90 seconds).
The two most popular species for living fences are American arborvitae (Thuja occidentalis) and Giant arborvitae (Thuja plicata). Arborvitae grows best in full sun and well-drained soil. Planting the evergreen trees together in rows creates shrub borders, privacy hedges, screens, and living walls.
Boxwood. A classic evergreen, boxwoods make good privacy plants because they can be used for both manicured designs and to grow freely. "Some varieties can grow up 20-feet tall," says Rauch.
Some living privacy fences are composed of trees, shrubs, or plants like bamboo, while others use sturdy fencing underneath plants to keep pets and children inside the yard's border. Loose structures can easily be made in most yards by using plants to create privacy fences with living walls.
For wood fences, use a rock mulch in a shallow layer touching the wood; the rocks don't hold moisture against the wood like pine straw or shredded wood. With metal, PVC or brick fences, nearly any type of mulch can be used, including biodegradable ones such as pine bark or more permanent ones such as river rock.
If you plan on having a flower bed, fresh sod, or other more delicate plants around your fence, you will want to install your fence first. This is because the contractors installing the fence could damage your landscaping while putting up the fence.
Trumpet creeper (Campsis radicans) grows very fast and can reach a maximum height of 30 feet. This vine will quickly fill in the gaps in your fence, blooming with bright orange flowers over dark green, oval-shaped foliage. Trumpet creeper is hardy in USDA zones 4 through 10 and is tolerant of drought or extreme heat.
1. Euphorbia antiquorum (Tridhara): This is the most common spiny succulent shrub grown in India along the fenceline of farmlands. Because of its look, this plant is often misidentified as a cactus.
However, your trees are not considerate plants, and if you aren't careful, they will damage the fence by shifting posts out of alignment with their root systems.
"A smaller, younger tree will be more resilient and more vigorous." Younger trees recover more easily from the transplanting process and start to grow again more quickly. A larger, older tree will suffer more shock and often will take years to put on much new growth.
Camellia, laurel and hawthorn are all good privacy hedges. These fast-growing hedges are all evergreen and reach a good height. Evergreen shrubs and evergreen trees for gardens make for the best hedges for privacy as you don't want your privacy to be compromised when the leaves fall off in fall.
There are options when it comes to sheltering your wooden fence from the soil: you can install gravel boards along the bottom, set your wooden posts in concrete, or use concrete posts from the outset.
Vinegar is a household cleaning wonder and it works very well for wooden fences – especially if yours has been affected by green algae or has brown spots on it.
Hybrid poplar tops the list. It can grow upwards of five feet per year. The Leyland cypress, green giant arborvitae, and silver maple are all close seconds because they add about two feet to their height each year.
Radishes. One of the fastest-growing vegetable plants you can grow is radish. Some types are ready to eat in as little as 3 weeks from seeding. They are a cool-season vegetable, meaning they do best in spring or fall, before or after the heat of summer.
Wasabi. Popularly known as one of the hardest plants to grow in the world, wasabi is prone to diseases when planted on a large scale. This plant can also take over a year to reach its maturity.
Wasabi. This Japanese horseradish is notorious for being hard to grow. It grows naturally in rocky riverbeds and attempts to replicate wasabi's natural habitat haven't found much success. There are dozens of reasons why farmers consider wasabi the most difficult crop to grow of all time.
In general, privacy fences made from wood or stone increase property value the most. These types of fences are usually well-built and look attractive, making them a popular choice for those looking to increase their home's value.
When thinking about what fencing lasts the longest, wrought iron fences may just be the winner. They are known to last a lifetime or even longer! This is because they are made from extremely strong and durable materials that, if well maintained, will last years and years.
Vinyl sits at number one in the ranking as a virtually indestructible, weather resistant option that requires little to no maintenance. Vinyl fencing is preferred among homeowners as an option that can stand up to the most extreme conditions.
sensitive plant, (Mimosa pudica), also called humble plant, plant in the pea family (Fabaceae) that responds to touch and other stimulation by rapidly closing its leaves and drooping.
Hydrangeas are one of the best shrubs for the fence line as they enjoy shade so can be planted where other, more sun loving plants wouldn't thrive. This variety has deep pink flowers that will bloom from early summer, much sooner than many other varieties. On acidic soils these blooms will become more mauve.
Apply mulch that extends about 6 inches on either side of the fence. Two or three layers of newspaper or a layer of cardboard underneath the mulch will further help kill and suppress weeds. Apply 2 inches of a finer mulch, such as shredded bark, and 4 inches of a coarser mulch, such as bark chips.
Additionally, if landscaping mulch is allowed to build up against your fence, it can cause an excess of moisture.This will lead to the growth of mold and mildew or even cause rotting.
DO Employ a Base Gravel Layer. If a fence post fails without any sign of a pest infestation, it's likely that the failure was caused by moisture that rotted the wood over time. To help slow such deterioration, add pea gravel or crushed stone to the bottom of the posthole.
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