Creating Your Green Oasis: Living Fence Ideas and Tips

Imagine stepping into your backyard, surrounded by a lush, green fence that not only ensures your privacy but also contributes to the beauty of your outdoor space. This isn’t just any privacy fence; it’s a living, breathing testament to nature’s grandeur in your backyard.

A living fence, or a “green fence,” is a fence made primarily of living plants. Some people might envision neatly trimmed hedges, but living fences can be so much more. They can be tall, majestic rows of trees, flowering shrubs that add a splash of color, or even mixed plantings that attract birds and butterflies. The possibilities are as diverse as nature and the earth itself.

In this blog post, we will explore the concept of living fences in more detail. We’ll look at different types of living fences, how to choose the right one for your needs, and how to plant and care for your living fence. Whether you’re a seasoned gardener or a beginner, we hope this guide will inspire you to grow your own green fence.

Choosing the Right Living Fence for You

Living fences are more than just a natural barrier; they're a key element in effective landscape design. They can transform your backyard into a private oasis, enhance the overall aesthetic, and even contribute to a healthier environment. But with so many options available, selecting the right living fence for your needs is crucial. Here are some key factors to consider when making your choice:

• Privacy Level: Do you desire a light screening effect or a complete privacy barrier? Taller, denser plants like arborvitae or certain privet varieties will provide full blockage while lower-growing flowering shrubs like lilacs might offer partial screening and beautiful blooms.
• Maintenance Level: If you have a busy life, opting for low-maintenance plants like boxwood or viburnum will save you time and effort in the long run. These varieties typically require minimal pruning and can thrive with infrequent watering once established.
• Sunlight Availability: Not all plants are created equal. If your backyard receives full sun most of the day, opt for sun-loving plants like osage orange or hawthorn. For areas with partial shade, viburnum or certain privet varieties might be a better fit.
• Aesthetics: Living fences come in a variety of shapes, sizes, and colors. Consider the overall aesthetic you desire. Do you crave a formal, manicured look? Boxwood or yew (if you don't have pets) can be sculpted into elegant hedges. Maybe a burst of color is what you're after? Lilacs or rugosa roses offer stunning blooms alongside privacy screening.

Enchanting Living Fence Options

Living fences aren't just practical or aesthetically pleasing, they can be downright magical! With a variety of fence ideas to choose from, you can create a living fence barrier that's not only functional but also, adds a touch of charm to your outdoor space. Here are some living fence options to inspire you.

Evergreen Living Fence Ideas

• Arborvitae/Thuja: These conifers offer year-round greenery and privacy with their dense foliage. You can opt for varieties like 'Emerald Green' for a classic look, or 'Green Giant' if you are seeking a towering hedge.
• Boxwood: Boxwood shrubs are perfect for creating low hedges or sculpted topiary. Their timeless elegance and cute charm add a touch of sophistication to any outdoor space.

Deciduous Living Fence Ideas

• Lilac: Imagine the intoxicating fragrance and vibrant late spring blooms of lilacs gracing your outdoor space. These beauties offer both privacy and a sensory experience perfect for homeowners who love to spend more time outdoors.
• Hawthorn: Hawthorn shrubs provide amazing privacy with their dense growth. Moreover, their delicate white flowers in spring attract butterflies, bees, and other pollinators, creating a haven for wildlife.
• Privet: If you need a living fence that is fast-growing but also can provide a dense privacy solution, privet varieties like Leyland Cypress or California Privet are excellent choices.

Other Living Fence Ideas

• Rugosa rose: This low-maintenance option offers the best of both worlds: stunning pink or white flowers throughout summer and attractive red hips in fall, all while providing privacy screening.
• Osage orange: For a truly unique living fence, consider Osage orange. This living fence option boasts vibrant yellow fall foliage and has spiky branches that add an extra layer of privacy.
• Bamboo: Fast-growing and visually striking, bamboo can create a modern and unique living fence. Just be sure to choose a non-invasive variety to avoid unwanted spreading.
• Fruit Trees: Espaliered fruit trees like apples, pears, or peaches can create a beautiful and functional living fence. You'll enjoy the privacy and the delicious rewards of your own homegrown fruit!
• Berry Bushes: Think beyond privacy and add a touch of sweetness with berry bushes like raspberries, blackberries, or blueberries. These options provide privacy screening and a tasty summer treat.

• Climbing vines on a trellis: Transform your backyard fence into a vertical living wall with climbing vines like clematis or rock trumpet etc., This option adds color and texture, and can even create a fragrant haven to your existing privacy fence.
• Living walls with wire mesh: For a more vertical living wall effect, consider using wire mesh attached to a fence as support for climbing vines. This creates a lush green barrier and can be a great space-saving option for smaller yards.

Additional Considerations and Inspiration

Living fences offer more than just privacy and beauty; they can be an expression of your creativity and a testament to your sustainable living practices. Here are some additional considerations and inspiring ideas to elevate your living fence:

• Coppice Fencing: Coppicing is a standard technique that involves periodically cutting back a young tree stem to encourage new, denser growth. This technique hence, not only promotes a thicker fence barrier but also can provide a source of firewood or biomass.
• Living Fence as Windbreak: Do you live in a windy area? Growing or planting your living fence strategically can help! You can opt for denser plants like arborvitae or hawthorn to create a natural windbreak, reducing wind chill and protecting your property.
• Japanese-Inspired Cloud Pruning: Embrace the tranquility of Japanese gardens by introducing cloud-pruned hedges. Cloud pruning, also known as Niwaki is a technique that involves shaping your living fence into billowing, cloud-like forms, adding a touch of elegance and tranquility to your outdoor space.
• Front Yard Flair: If you live in a safe neighborhood where the front yard offers an opportunity for you to be unique, consider lower-growing flowering shrubs like lilacs or rugosa roses. These options will enhance curb appeal and create a welcoming entrance without any obstructions.
• Underplanting: While your living fence provides privacy and structure, consider underplanting it with colorful flowers, perennials, or low-growing groundcovers. This adds visual interest and creates a layered, biodiverse landscape.

Planting and Caring for Your Living Fence

Now that you've chosen your perfect living fence option based on your needs, it's time to get your hands dirty and bring your vision to life! Here are some DIY tips on planting your living fence and caring for it so it thrives for years to come:

Planning and Preparation

1. Know Your Soil: Before you invest in your plants or those evergreen trees, take a soil test. Understanding your soil's composition (pH and nutrient levels) will help you choose the right plants that will thrive in your location. The test may even indicate the need for amendments. A healthy soil translates to a healthy living fence!
2. Spacing it Right: When planting a living fence, proper spacing between the plants is crucial. Dense privacy hedges require closer spacing than those intended for screening. Understand the recommended spacing for your chosen plant style and mark your planting locations accordingly.
3. Digging the Trench: If you are looking for a continuous barrier, consider digging a trench instead of individual holes. Dig this trench deep enough to accommodate the root ball of your chosen plant style, with an additional inch or two for it to settle. The width of the trench should be about twice the width of the root ball.

Planting Your Living Fence

• Planting the trees: If you bought or are planning on getting pregrown plants, carefully remove those young trees or shrubs from their containers. Remember to loosen any root-bound plants gently.
• Placement: As we already mentioned before, the spacing between the plants is crucial. You need to place each plant in the trench according to your pre-marked spacing. Ensure the root flare (the area where the trunk widens into the roots) sits slightly above the surrounding soil level.
• Fill and Firm: Now that you have your plant carefully placed in the ground, backfill the trench with soil, gently tamping it down to remove air pockets. Water thoroughly to settle the soil around the roots.

Care and Maintenance Tips

• Water Frequently: Newly planted plants, small trees, and shrubs require consistent watering, especially during the first growing season. Aim for deep watering several times a week, allowing the soil to dry slightly between waterings.
• Regular Pruning: Regularly pruning your plants can help maintain a healthy and aesthetically pleasing living fence. Prune your chosen plants according to their specific needs. Generally, the best time to prune most plants is in late winter or early spring before new growth emerges.

Conclusion

Living fences are a beautiful, functional, and environmentally friendly addition to any landscape. They offer a unique blend of aesthetics, privacy, and a connection to nature that traditional fences simply can’t match. From evergreens to flowering shrubs, there’s a living fence to suit every homeowner’s needs and preferences.

Selecting, planting, and caring for a living fence can be a rewarding journey. It’s an opportunity to get your hands dirty, connect with nature, learn about different plants, and create something truly unique for your outdoor space. And the result? A living green fence that grows and changes with the seasons, providing beauty and privacy for years to come.

Whether you’re a seasoned gardener or a beginner DIY enthusiast, we hope these landscaping ideas have inspired you to consider a living fence for your outdoor space. Remember, the best living fence is the one that brings you joy and meets your needs. So, don’t be afraid to experiment, to learn, and to grow along with your living fence.

But why stop at planning? Let's bring your dream living fence to life! At Ergeon, our team of experienced landscaping professionals can help you navigate every step of the process, from selecting the perfect plants to ensuring proper fence installation and ongoing maintenance. We'll work with you to create a living fence that not only meets your needs but also exceeds your expectations. Contact us today!