Natural fences constructed of shrubbery, trees, or flowering bushes are attractive and environmentally friendly havens for songbirds, butterflies, and other desirable fauna. These living fences also provide an eye-catching way to define your property’s boundaries, and they serve as effective and visually pleasing privacy screens—as the adage says, “Good fences make good neighbors.”
Here are 11 ideas for integrating a natural fence into your own property.
Natural Deterrent
Homeowners in cactus-friendly climates can use cacti to create an effective barrier around their property. By stringing a metal framework and planting cacti along the edge, they can create a prickly fence that will keep curious critters out and shield their yard from prying eyes.
Lush and Lovely Lilac
An essential part of any garden, Lilacs are cherished for their vibrant colors and sweet aroma. Not only that, but they are also incredibly fast-growing and resilient to the cold weather of northern states. From soft pinks to deep purples, Lilacs bring a touch of beauty to any outdoor space and are the perfect way to mark the end of spring.
Boxing Day
Boxwoods make great hedges due to their dense, dark green foliage and moderate height. With over 70 species, these versatile evergreen shrubs can be easily sculpted into a variety of shapes and mazes. Boxwoods are a popular choice among gardeners as they are hardy and grow slowly, allowing for easy maintenance.
Don’t Weep for Me
Willow trees are popularly used to craft natural fences due to their fast growth rate and pliability. With over 400 species in existence, these trees can tolerate moist soil and winter weather, making them a great choice for fencing. Dwarf varieties are especially suited for this purpose.
Under the Laurel Leaves
Widely cultivated for their ornamental appeal, spotted laurel plants are popular as natural fences due to their richly variegated leaves. Their green foliage is characterized by distinct yellow or brown markings, making them a striking addition to any garden. Not only are they aesthetically pleasing, but spotted laurels are also highly durable and can withstand difficult growing conditions, such as air pollution and salt-laden winds. Additionally, they make great houseplants that are hardy and easy to maintain.
Ring of Fire
A member of the Euonymus family, the Fiery Burning Bush is a deciduous shrub that can grow up to 24 feet tall. It gets its name from the spectacular fall colors of its leaves, which range in shades of brilliant red, orange, and yellow. Its wood is typically a dark purplish-brown, and its small fruits are popular with many species of birds.
Privacy, Please
Privet is an ideal choice for natural fencing due to its hardiness and ability to be easily shaped. The dense foliage creates a barrier to unwanted animals, as well as provides an attractive backdrop for gardens. Privet’s flexibility also allows for the creation of intricate patterns and designs for a more aesthetically pleasing fence. Additionally, privets are relatively low-maintenance and require little pruning or trimming.
Reach for the Sky
With its tall, dense stalks and lush foliage, bamboo provides an effective, natural alternative to a traditional fence. Able to grow up to several feet a day, bamboo is one of the fastest-growing plants on the planet and is incredibly low maintenance once established. Keep in mind, though, that some varieties are quite invasive, so it’s important to choose the right species and contain it in containers or barriers to prevent it from overtaking your yard. By doing so, you can enjoy the beauty of a bamboo fence without worrying about it becoming a nuisance for you or your neighbors.
Jumpin’ Juniper
Junipers are a type of coniferous evergreen, ranging in size and shape from low-spreading shrubs to tall, stately trees that can reach up to 40 feet. Their needle-like leaves are aromatic and produce berries. Although these plants are hardy, care must be taken when pruning them, as over-pruning can lead to the development of unsightly bare patches. To avoid this, shape the juniper in late winter or early spring.
Golden Opportunity
The brilliant yellow forsythia blooms signify the start of spring, and these beautiful, easy-to-cultivate bushes are great for sculpting into hedges. Forsythias are deciduous shrubs that usually range between 3 to 9 feet in height. There are 11 varieties of forsythia, and they all share the same lush green leaves and supple branches.
Holly Jolly
Holly, a type of flowering plant in the family Acutifoliate, is a popular holiday decoration. It comes in up to 600 species of evergreen and deciduous trees, shrubs, and climbers, found in a variety of climates from the tropics to temperate zones. They have glossy, serrated, or spiny leaves and produce red, brown, or white berries.
Opt for a Natural Fence
Outdoor privacy can be quite aesthetically pleasing.
