When planting a fence line, you should carefully consider what plants will grow best. You may want to consider planting juniper shrubs, which provide privacy and beauty. Additionally, juniper shrubs attract birds to your yard, and their berries are a tasty treat for anyone. However, you should keep in mind that juniper bush pruning will result in dead spots along your fence line. Another popular choice is boxwood, which takes a long time to grow and produces thick branches that are difficult for critters to climb.
Privet
One of the most popular hedging plants, privet is a versatile and robust plant that grows well almost anywhere. The shrub’s white flowers attract butterflies and bees and it is considered a semi-evergreen. It bears black berries in the fall, but it doesn’t mind being planted in salty soil. It is also a good choice for coastal areas. Privet is tough and trouble-free and is perfect for fence lines.
Privet shrubs grow to a height of four to five feet, but some can reach up to 12 feet. Privet is generally pruned once a year after the spring flowers have faded and before the plant reaches its maximum height. This shrub also thrives in drier climates. Its thick, leathery foliage is perfect for a fence line, and the shrub’s fragrance is pleasant to smell.
The dense foliage makes for a stunning display, especially if it’s planted in clusters. Privet can be a great choice if you’d like your fence to appear more natural. The leaves of this shrub are variegated and may have a green tint. Roses can be grown in full sun or partial shade and require little maintenance. These shrubs provide beauty and fragrance all year. They grow in a compact upright shape and bloom most of the year. They grow rapidly, though their width is smaller than their height. They can reach a height of twelve to fifteen feet, and spread between six to eight feet.
Unlike boxwood, privet shrubs are not poisonous to people and animals. They can grow to about eight feet in height, and can be pruned into spirals for privacy. Privet shrubs can grow in most climates, and they do best in partial shade or full sun. In the northern and central midwest, privet is available in local nurseries. It is also native to Japan.
Clematis
There are several varieties of clematis, each of which blooms at different times. Most varieties of clematis do not require pruning, and they are hardy from zones four to nine. These beautiful shrubs are a good choice for fence line plantings, and they are low maintenance. To get the most out of a clematis plant, choose a sunny spot, and they will grow to a height of 3.5 meters or more.
This beautiful climber grows quickly and spreads widely, reaching 30 feet in a few months. Choose a sunny location with cool soil. Mulch the soil well and water regularly. Mulch is also essential to keep the soil cool. Clematis can also climb trellises or arbors. They will climb on supports and will be covered in colorful flowers. While Clematis grows best near a fence or trellis, they can also be grown along a wall or arbor.
Once you’ve purchased the right clematis plant, you can secure it with fence wire. If you don’t want to cut off the old vines, you can trim the new ones after the flowers have fallen off. Once the vines have grown to the desired length, you can prune them and they’ll bloom once more. And clematis are low-maintenance plants, which makes them a great choice for a fence line.
This plant is great for a fence line and can be purchased in many varieties. They can grow up to 10 feet tall and are easy to train to cover a certain area. You can also prune them to cover a shorter section. Other fence line plants include privet and boxwood. They are bushier, but look equally attractive. If you want a shrub that grows tall and narrow, clematis is a great choice.
Hicks yew
The Hicks yew is one of the most popular evergreen trees for fence lines. Its cold-hardy characteristics make it a good choice for this purpose. Its parentage is from Japanese yew, making it hardy to USDA Zone 4a. Once established, this tree will grow well in Zones 7 and 8 with some pruning. A shaped border is best for this plant.
A common choice for a living fence, the hicks yew is a beautiful evergreen shrub that will add beauty and privacy to your landscape year-round. This plant has spiky green foliage that turns red in the winter, and low maintenance needs. It can withstand periods of drought and heavy shade, and is a great choice for fence lines. However, if the winter winds get too strong, the plant will begin to brown.
A yew tree with a low-growing habit can be an attractive addition to a fence line. The foliage of the Hicks yew is blue-green, and the tree will grow 9-12 feet tall and wide. It can be used as a privacy screen or a low-growing hedge. In full sun, it will grow up to six feet tall.
The yew can tolerate many soil types, including heavy clay and acidic soil. However, it does not tolerate high amounts of moisture, and should be watered only when needed. In addition to a high-quality compost, a layer of pine needles or peat moss will help retain moisture. It is also effective at keeping weeds and other pests away.
Boxwoods
There are many types of boxwoods. All of them are attractive, hardy, and grow well in full sun and partial shade. They can also tolerate many soil types. The best thing about them is that they can be trimmed frequently. If you’re looking for a beautiful hedge, consider clipping them into shapes and using them as an accent plant. These shapes will add structure and interest to your garden.
When planting boxwoods, give them a weak fertilizer in the spring or fall. Mulching helps them retain moisture and keep their roots cool. Remember to water the plants regularly, especially during dry periods. Boxwoods can get stressed out by prolonged dry periods, so keep in mind this when planting. You can also use compost tea to mitigate blight. Boxwoods are excellent fence line shrubs.
While there are many varieties of boxwoods, there are some key differences between the varieties. They differ in hardiness, elegance of growth, leaf shape, and resistance to disease. Most often, only two of these species are cultivated for home growing. Boxwoods are a great choice for a fence line because they retain their foliage year-round. Boxwoods grow well in zones 5 through 8.
For a fast-growing hedge, wintergreen is the right choice. Its foliage starts off light green but will grow to a dark green by winter. This type of hedge is very low maintenance and can survive the winters in a moderate climate. For low-maintenance hedges, try ‘Green Gem’. It’s a hardy variety that grows to about five feet.
Japanese anemones
You can choose Japanese anemones for their ornamental value and dazzling foliage. They are drought tolerant, but they will not tolerate a very wet soil. If you want to grow them as a fence line shrub, choose a site with good drainage. They are also hardy to most kinds of insects and diseases. You can plant a single Japanese anemone, but it is best to plant several for maximum effect.
To plant your Japanese anemone, wait for the soil to warm up in spring. It prefers moist soil that is in part shade to full sun. Prepare the soil by amending it with compost or manure. Japanese anemones are not easily eradicated, so be patient and give them time. You can plant them approximately one foot apart to avoid crowding. In addition, Japanese anemones don’t mind being staked.
Japanese anemones can grow up to four feet high. Tall varieties may need staking, so plant them close to supporting plants. A white heirloom variety, ‘Honorine Jobert’, requires support to stay upright. These shrubs spread via underground runners, so if they start to lose their flowers in the fall, you can divide them to create new plants.
Anemone hupehensis, Anemone vitifolia, and A. tomentosa are the most commonly used varieties for a fence line. These shrubs are hardy, and tolerate zones from three to four. The species A. tomentosa is widely available, but you should only plant two or three for the most impactful results.
