A fence is a classic way to mark the line of your home’s property, provide some privacy, and keep dogs and small people from walking out onto the street. But if the standard “white picket fence” look isn’t for you, trees and shrubs can be a more natural option. If you already have an existing fence, you can add decorative trees or shrubs for extra green and privacy. However, those who are not responsible for pets and children can opt for the tree-only or shrub-only option.
How to Plant Trees to Build a Natural Fence
Adult trees offer the greatest coverage when it comes to privacy fences, and the most common tree fences are evergreen trees. These lush trees provide year-round cover, require very little maintenance, and grow to a height of 20 to 60 feet tall when fully grown, depending on the tree species.
The Thuja green giant and American pillar tree of life are fast-growing evergreen trees that do well in direct and indirect sunlight and are not attacked by deer. You can buy them one to two feet tall, and they will grow between three and four feet per year. So you start with a waist-high fence and have a full-fledged privacy fence in two or three years. A bundle of ten one to two foot tall trees costs roughly $ 170 to $ 180. If you’re looking for a bit more privacy right away (and you’re on the budget), five foot tall trees are for you $ 150 each. Landscaping website Garden articles recommends planting in a zig-zag pattern four feet apart for optimal privacy.
Another tree-like plant that offers privacy and grows quickly is bamboo. Although they are in the Grass family, Bamboo height and appearance are similar to those of trees. The stems are thin and when grouped together form a wall of cane with leaves that provide lush cover. Bamboo is a resilient plant that can be found in both hot and cold climates and grows quickly. A tropical bamboo plant can grow four feet in a day, and overall can achieve 40 meters tall (about 113 feet). It’s the perfect tree that can be paired with a traditional fence to create a zen garden feel along with privacy and safety for pets and toddlers.
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Garden and kindergarten space Bamboo sources recommends a planting area at least 60 cm wide and recommends that plant boxes are best suited for narrow spaces. When looking for the right type of bamboo, planting site Let a greener world grow suggests “lump bamboo” (sympodial or pachymorphic) that have short roots and occupy about three to ten feet when fully ripe. These bamboo trees are easier to maintain than “walking bamboo” (momopodial or leptomorphic), which tends to grow quickly and unwieldy with roots up to 18 inches deep. Bamboo can cost $ 22 to $ 88 per pot, depending on the required coverage.
How to Plant Shrubs for Privacy
Shrubs are another organic fencing option that offers the flexibility of partial to full coverage and privacy. In comparison, trees can grow up to 20 feet tall and shrubs reach around on average 13 feet tall (although they can grow tree-like). The shrubs also give your garden a different look than a classic periwinkle – they can produce flowers or berries that add a touch of color and more garden feel to your garden.
Blue Princess Holly is a festive bush that grows up to 15 feet of privacybut the right cut will keep them as short as you want them to be. Small bunches of red berries sprout from the deep green leaves, which give your garden a holiday feeling and give your organic fence a simple accent color. They are hardy plants that will survive in any planting zone and do well in hot or cold weather. It’s a slow growing plant so be prepared for your privacy goals to take some time to complete. These bushes cost approx. $ 25 per plant or less when bought in a bundle.
Euonymus bushes come in all possible shapes, sizes and colorsso that you can customize the look of your plant fence. The Euonymus alatus plant – commonly known as “burning bush”- consists of thin, spreading sticks with fiery red leaves. The most common type of euonymus is the golden euonymus shrubcharacterized by leathery green and yellow leaves that create a lush privacy for your garden. The golden euonymus can grow up to 10 feet tall and 6 feet wide. Good pruning can shape the bush to the height of your choice.
Golden euonymus bloom small greenish-white flowers in spring and are evergreen, so your fence can withstand any weather all year round. They need to be watered once or twice a week as they grow, and once a week when they are fully grown. A low dose of fertilizer in the spring (and sometimes in the fall) will keep these bright bushes healthy. This bio fence costs anywhere from $ 21 just below $ 70, depending on size.
