What to grow on/in front of chain link fence?

14 years ago

I'm working a backyard in brooklyn. Three sides of the yard are chain link fencing. I'd like to get some ideas on what to grow on or in front of this rather unappealing fence. We have a couple of climbing rose bushes which are doing rather well. Ivy grows well in the shade. The fence we need to cover gets a good amount of light. I'm hoping for something low maintenance. Any suggestions?

Featured Answer

laag

14 years ago

Privet hedge can be sheared once a year in Brooklyn and be maintained at any height and any width. It creates privacy and a great green back drop to any plants you put befor it.

It is very fast growing and fairly inexpensive.

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (7)

PRO
Shirley Bovshow
14 years ago
It sounds like you want to go the "vine route" with climbing roses and such. One way to beautify the fence before planting vines is to add a lattice panel and secure it to the fence first. I did a design for the HGTV show, Outer Spaces where I had to add privacy to a yard that had a chain link fence and a neighbor with an RV in full view. Here is a link to the photo on my web site to show you what I did.

http://www.shirleybovshow.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=38&Itemid=71

Also, don't disregard using shrubs to grow a nice tall green hedge in front of the fence. I like clumping bamboo for an informal and breezy look. Good luck.

Shirley

http://www.EdenMakersBlog.com

Here is a link that might be useful: Shirley Bovshow Website
Related Discussions
What color should we stain our fence, front porch, side deck and pergola?
Q
Comments (8)
Things are definitely out of wack with current scheme First paint the columns white (all white) -currently these look terrible ( too contrived) and do nothing to help the house ( the panel moulding will provide a nice shadow line detail) porch base ( brick ) darker color white shows all dirt splashed on by rain use the same color( grey green) as the house and carriage board trim at porch edge porch deck consider lighten up - to medium shade like Sherwin Williams Woodscapes Ember # 3029 or Cedar # 3034 this will add a nice cozy warmth to the porch ( if you can remove all paint better yet use a semi transparent stain such as the fence color below Fence: Sherwin Williams semi transparent stain Woodscapes Covered bridge # 3508 Pergola ( Keep ) adds a nice touch but needs some kind of local vine for interest and shade and paint in the same color as the porch deck - can't see the entry door but would be nice if it was stained wood ( not painted ) to add warmth - this scheme should hold together better and look better and hide dirt and dust and send me a picture when done . Best wishes and stay safe
...See More
HELP! What to do with the front of my flat roofed house? Fence? Hedge?
Q
Comments (3)
That large plant in front of your house on the left of your feature photo looks wonderful. What I would do is add more of the same all along the flower bed where you are standing- and continue them around the curve of the bed to play up the shape. Use this as the base for your landscape. I would remove the border bricks and let the shrubs loosely determine the boundary. Soft, edges will work great with your house because house is linear in style. Shrubs will add a feeling of more privacy to the entrance, plays up the the curve of the windows arches, and will add charm. Then I would change out the globe light fixture over your entry door to something that makes more of a design statement and is larger. Use a nice grey stone for foot path with low to ground lighting instead of tall one I see there to play up the curve in the pathway. A tree would be great. Some trees grow fast and before you know it you are there for 6 years and tree looks mature. I would play up the entrance more. House numbers, a color where the curve inset trim around door is, or maybe an oversized urn or planter to the potted with something that you love. I would also walk around and see what works with similar houses on your block. The grey fence on side is nice. Maybe a low profile wood fence in front in same color would be also be charming.
...See More
Fence or hedge for front lawn/garden.
Q
Comments (19)
I suggest a hedge because it will give you a more attractive view from your front windows. A shrub that grows in zone 11 and doesn't get too large is Indian Hawthorn (Rhaphiolepsis indica). It grows between 2-5' tall, has dense evergreen foliage, pink/white flowers and is fairly drought-resistant (water during very hot, dry spells). When creating a bed for the hedge, mix organic fertilizer into the soil and add water before and after planting. Once the shrubs are in place, apply a 2" layer of mulch to retain water and suppress weeds. Along the edge of the bed, install low-profile lawn edging like this one There are several advantages to using lawn edging - it stops lawn grass from growing into the bed, keeps the mulch in place and gives a nice, neat appearance. For a consistently attractive look, you could consider removing the existing plastic edging and replacing it with same low-profile edging throughout. If you decide to go with a fence, you could plant these shrubs in front of the fence (on the street side) to soften the look. Gate posts and a gate can be added to either the fence or the hedge. Best of luck with your plans!
...See More
Front Yard Fence
Q
Comments (13)
How much time does she spend outside daily? I hate chaining dogs, but a run line might be the solution here if she's only out for potty breaks and when you entertain. Or as others have said, fence the side yard. I don't think it will look as odd as you think: go from the back door and fence everything that shows in your second picture. Straight up what is the left side of the photo, along the treeline, back down what is the right side of the photo, back along the edge of the walkway to the ramp. Doggie doesn't need to be able to be let out the front door unattended. Choose black fence, it will disappear more. Or for a cuter look, do the kind with a board on the top with mesh for the "walls."
...See More
tibs
14 years ago
I can't believe (but sure would like to) privat can be sheared just once a year and look nice and maintain its size in any zone. A minimum of once a month during growing season. And I know there is someone who posts regularly on this site that shears his once every 2 weeks. He inspired me to shear mine every three weeks.
miss_rumphius_rules
14 years ago
Here's a couple of ideas--

Ilex crenata 'Steeds'-- a little leaf holly that can be pruned to a narrow hedge. Should work well particularly if there's not full sun. Likes some light.

Clematis ternifolia (used to be paniculata) Sweet Autumn Clematis--will cling to the fence and cover it in no time. This is a vigorous grower with masses of fragrant white blooms from August to September.

Espaliered anything--use the fence as supports. If there's enough light try some fruit trees...
jgro
14 years ago
Paint the chain link fence black before planting. I've seen this done on TV and it really helps to tone down the "unappealing" look.
inkognito
14 years ago
Q. Is there any way to make chain link fence look attractive? We probably don't need to poll the answers to that question. Q. will planting something unattractive in front of chain link fence improve the situation? Another 'no' probably. This is my theory: if you left a pile of clothes in the middle of your bedroom floor for long enough it would appear to be normal and you would just step over it because this how you cross the room. The constant hum of city traffic that keeps a newcomer awake is not noticed by the city dweller who finds the quiet in the country unnerving. So the chain link fence is there to stay and drawing attention to it will not make it go away. What to do? Make the backyard a place. Make it a place that suits you, a place you want to spend some time in. If you want it to be low maintenance don't have any plants back there.
laag
14 years ago
To keep privet tight and formal you will need to cut it several times a year. But you don't have to keep it that way, if you don't want to.

What to grow on/in front of chain link fence?

laag

Comments (7)

Shirley Bovshow

Related Discussions

tibs

miss_rumphius_rules

jgro

inkognito

laag