Solid fences call for a different planting strategy. Evergreen and semi-evergreen shrubs, like abelia, along with deciduous perennials, grasses, and shrubs provide lasting color and structure. Many varieties of abelia are available, providing stunning combinations for any style of fence. Fragrant blooms throughout the growing season attract bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds.
15 Best Plants For Fence Lines
The right plants can transform a boring fence line into a garden showcase.
Kim Toscano is a gardening expert and writer who has worked in horticulture and communications for over twenty years, using her scientific training and practical experience to educate and inspire gardeners. She began her career studying invasive plant and insect species before taking a role with the Cooperative Extension Service, which she served for 11 years, initially as an educator with Michigan’s Master Gardener program.
In 2007, Kim moved to Oklahoma to serve as writer and host for Oklahoma Gardening, a weekly PBS television program produced by the Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service. During her seven-plus years as host, Kim shared her expertise through more than 1,000 video segments covering all aspects of gardening, environmental stewardship, and sustainable living. She is currently a contributor to national gardening media, including Fine Gardening and Southern Living Plant Collection.
Updated on July 28, 2023
Some plants are meant to grow scrambling along a fence line, poking their heads through the wooden slats. Likewise, certain fence styles are made to be draped in flowers. It is hard to picture a white picket fence, for example, that is not swimming in blooms. Whether you are trying to camouflage a chain-link fence, dress up a solid wall of wood, or make use of vertical space, we’ve rounded up some of the best plants for a fence line.
The style and height of a fence will dictate plant selection to some extent. Picket, split-rail, and other open-style fences lend themselves to flowering annual and perennials, as well as billowing shrubs, whose flowers move in and through the fence line. These fence styles tend to function as an integral part of the planting. Our goals differ significantly when planting along a solid fence, which can be visually dominant. Mixed plantings of shrubs, ornamental grasses, and perennials work to soften the fence line and dress up an otherwise blank surface. The following list includes plants for a range of fence styles and design goals.
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Climbing Rose
- Botanical Name:Rosa hybrids
- Sun Exposure: Full Sun
- Soil Type: Moist, Well-draining, Rich
- Soil pH: Slightly Acidic to Neutral (6.0-7.0)
Climbing roses add romance and fragrance to any garden. Roses don’t really climb in the way that morning glory or peas climb. Varieties considered to be climbers produce very long canes or stems, which are easily trained to a fence or other structure. As such, climbing roses will need to be secured to the fence with ties.
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Mophead Hydrangea
- Botanical Name:Hydrangea macrophylla
- Sun Exposure: Partial to Full Shade
- Soil Type: Moist, Well-draining, Rich
- Soil pH: Acidic to Slightly Acidic (5.0-6.5)
The buoyant blooms of mophead hydrangea are magical poking through the rails of a fence. Flower color varies according to variety and soil pH. For blue blooms, maintain a soil pH between 5.0 and 5.5. Above that level, blooms will take on purple or pink hues.
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Creating Flowering Fences – Flowers That Grow Over Fences
Living fences are a fabulous way of bordering your property. Not only are they lively, but if you choose blooming shrubs, they brighten the garden with their flowers. You might also add some “wow” factor by growing flowering plants on an existing fence. The effect will add vivid color and texture, especially on old, ugly fences. Flowering fences work in a variety of sites, provided they are suitable for your zone, lighting, and soil type.
Things to Consider About Flowering Fences
Almost everyone loves flowers. If you have an old, unkempt fence, cover it in blooms. Flowers to cover fences may be vines or shrubs, and they are the perfect cover up for a divider that is past its prime. Flowers that climb fences are another option to beautify an eye sore. Using flowers along fences can pretty up the boundary. They will also attract bees and other pollinators to help your veggies and other flowers produce.
You may want a plant that will produce a boundary, flowers that grow over fences, or a blooming vine or shrub as a cover up. Before you select your plants, remember you will need to consider their mature height so you can get the correct number of the bloomers. Check the plant’s zone and lighting requirements. Additionally, do a soil test so you can amend the soil as needed to provide the perfect place for the roots. You may have to plant support for your plants as well, which is easier to set up prior to planting. If you want drip irrigation, set up the bare bones so it will be easy to direct water to each plant’s roots.
Flowers That Grow Over Fences
If you want flowers to cover fences, try vines. They are easy to grow, can be trained where needed, and bloom consistently. Most flowers that climb fences are sun lovers, but there are a few such as Clematis that perform well in lower light situations. You can even get an evergreen version of Clematis with creamy, lightly perfumed blooms that appear near the end of winter. Even annual plants can tumble over a barrier. Nasturtium and potato vine are two examples. Perennial plants don’t need to be replanted, however, and offer more value for the dollar.
Using shrubs along fences is another way to beautify the structure. Most shrubs are perennial if they are hardy in your zone. Some bloom in spring, others summer, while a few also blaze with foliar color in fall. Consider the size of the plant and its maintenance needs. If it needs to be pruned to keep it to size, make sure it blooms off of new wood the next season, so you don’t sacrifice flowers for tidiness.
