Concealing a Fence: Top Five Strategies for an Invisible Barrier
Garden boundaries, such as fences, walls, and even hedges, are more than just privacy barriers in your garden. They can set the tone and vibe for the entire space. Here's how to elevate these fixtures from drab to fabulous:
- Green Up with Climbers: Fences can be instantly upgraded with climbing plants like roses, clematis, jasmine, or honeysuckle. Fix wires or trellis to the fence, and watch your plants elegantly drape themselves across it. For faster growth, opt for varieties like clematis montana, rambling roses, or honeysuckle. An added bonus? Annuals such as morning glory and sweet peas can temporarily fill any gaps, while perennials grow. If you'd rather go wire-free, consider self-clinging climbers like ivy or climbing hydrangea.
- Painting Magic: A fresh coat of paint can work wonders for livenign up a worn-out fence. Pale hues open up the space, while bright colors add zest. If your goal is to make the fence disappear, consider darker tones like that of an evergreen yew, or a paint shade that blends with the shadows for a seamless look.
- Plant a Hedge: Establish a hedge in front of your fence for an eye-catching long-term solution. This not only adds depth to your boundary but also serves as a windbreak and noise reduction. Remember, once the hedge is established, regular pruning will be necessary to keep it looking its best.
- Hanging Planters: Adding hangable pots or planters to your fence is a cost-effective way to mask it. This is especially handy for temporary fixes in rented homes or while you wait for your climbers to grow. You can even get crafty and use old containers or guttering to house shallow-rooted plants like salad leaves.
- Plant a Border: A creative method to draw attention away from the fence is to create a flower border. Include a variety of heights and blooming times, and incorporate evergreens for year-round interest. Over time, the border will grow and eventually hide the fence altogether.
And remember: Damp soil against your fence can lead to damage. Install concrete or treated wooden gravel boards at the base of the fence to prevent this.
FAQ
Should soil touch my fence?Damp soil in contact with the bottom of your fence can cause damage through moisture seepage leading to rot. To prevent or minimize this issue, install concrete or treated wooden gravel boards along the base. These safeguard your fence from potential soil damage.
- Transforming your home-and-garden lifestyle, a charming home-and-garden border can be created to draw attention away from the fence, including a variety of heights, blooming times, and evergreens for year-round interest, which over time will grow and hide the fence altogether.
- Elevating the home-and-garden vibe, consider painting your worn-out fence with a fresh coat to liven it up, opting for pale hues to open up the space or bright colors to add zest, while darker tones can serve to make the fence disappear.
