Natural border along fence

19 years ago

Hi,

I am planning on doing a natural border along a 100' stretch of split rail fence. The main goal is to achieve some privacy. The fence has wire attached and is for keeping our dog in (and other dogs out). I was hoping to get some advice on the border shrubs. I am trying to determine what plants to use and how close to plant to the fence. Any other helpful information is welcome. I prefer native plants but will use non-invasive non-native plants if they are a better fit. It's not a tight space, so I have some room for width, although I don't want it to take up an excessive amount of yard. My soil has a good amount of clay. The fence runs down a gentle slope, the bottom of which can get soggy at times. The area ranges from full sun to partial shade. Zone is 6b. Thanks.

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Comments (4)

Pipersville_Carol
19 years ago
Cedars can be a good choice if you have deer.

I planted several clumps of cedars this past summer, for screening a long border. The native ones pop up naturally here and there, but I added nursery cultivars for variation in shape and color. I think the blue ones are my favorite. I grouped three of each variety together for impact. It looks good and mixes in well with the natural woodland behind it.

Big ornamental grasses (like Miscanthus "Morning Light") are big, deer-proof and very pretty. You could plant them in staggered groups of five or more. They look gorgeous when the wind blows.
PRO
Kestrel Shutters & Doors
19 years ago
Growing up we had a fence row of Forsythia that looked fantastic in spring time and was still pretty during the rest of the year. Even when the leaves dropped in winter they had a very natural beauty to them.

Of course this is assuming that you are not "one of those" ...lol...that prune your Forsythia into shapes just before they bloom.

Have you considered doing multiple varieties for a fence row? Put in some cedars with clumps of Forsythia scatters. A few Rhododendrons here or there.

Thinking about it my Grandmother's farm had natural dividers between pastures of raspberries and blackberries.

If you get a variety than there is always something to see.

You could have a lot of fun with this.

Jim
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mersiepoo
19 years ago
One of the FASTEST privacy fences you can grow is bamboo. Just be careful if you don't want it getting out of control. P. Bisetti is the quickest growing, and it will survive Pa winters. It's very dense growing too.
User
19 years ago
I have Rose of Sharon along an ugly fence I don't want to see. They get quite tall and beautiful, very hardy and really grow fast. They are not ever green however, if that is what you want.
Thuja green giant cedar evergreens are hardy, deer proof, and drought resistant after the first year. They will grow about 3 feet per year. But, they will eventually get enormous, hence the name.
Don't try bamboo unless you want high mainteance. But it is beautiful. Could hurt your property value though if you go to sell. ALot of people are scared to death of it.
I have a beautiful smoke tree in my yard. It was real small when I planted it last spring, and it is about 5 foot tall now.
The leaves are beautiful! The fall color is a salmon color and then in November is turns bright red.
Great for privacy from early spring to late fall.
Everyone asks me what it is.
GOod Luck with your planting.
Mabey try a little of each, variety is the spice of life.
Carla