A white picket fence once symbolized the American homeowner’s dream. However, not every homeowner wants a white picket fence. And not all Homeowner’s Associations allow such. Many fence options now fit your home’s aesthetic and landscaping needs. Living fences are popular in the United Kingdom, but homesteaders and the DIY movement have boosted their popularity in the United States. Our Tri-Cities landscaping experts at Promier Landscapes explain what a living fence is and if it’s suitable for your yard.
Living fence defined
A living fence is a plant-only barrier often referred to as an agricultural fence, hedgerow, or natural fence. Single or double tree or bush rows form these organic partitions to create a windbreak, privacy screen, or natural noise reducer. Living fences serve the same purpose as wood and metal fences but require less maintenance.
Typical living fence illustrations
Living fences are versatile because they can include many plant varieties. Homeowners can use deciduous, evergreen, coniferous, or leguminous plants for a natural fence. Depending on the climate and species, they may require little maintenance once established. Our Kingsport landscapers recommend 3 to 6-foot-tall shrubs for smaller yards. Choose tall, fast-growing trees for more privacy.
Establishing a living fence
Establishing a living fence is a slow and steady process that requires soil, water, and sunshine to make it flourish. However, living walls may provide the same protection as other fences and possess the potential to outlast humans by more than a century.
Select the highest quality plants
Selecting Tri-Cities-friendly plants is the first step in building a living fence. Our Bristol landscaping experts recommend considering your USDA growth zone and the plant’s water, light, and soil needs for the best results. Next, choose one or more plant species to achieve your goal. Combining deciduous, leguminous, coniferous, and evergreen plants can create a natural fence. Conifers and other evergreens offer year-round green foliage, which means year-round protection.
Prepare the ground
Getting the ground ready is necessary if you intend to plant a new fence line. By aerating the soil and mixing in nitrogen-rich fertilizer, clumps will break up and make the soil more conducive to plant development. Additionally, you can use a string or yarn stretched down a fence or suspended between two wooden dowels secured in the ground to help you pinpoint where to place your plants.
Build a wall
Creating a living fence is challenging but worth it. Our Johnson City landscapers say to plant close together so the branches can intertwine and strengthen the plant. Start by digging a 12-inch-deep hole at the designated planting points alongside your rope. Next, place smaller shrubs 4 to 8 inches apart and larger trees 18 to 30 inches apart. Finally, plant the second row of plants or trees for added security. Late autumn is the best time to plant a living wall, and seeds may need to germinate in a greenhouse first.
Train a living fence
Training your new live fence comprises crossing and weaving the branches together. You can create a denser barrier and other designs by intertwining the branches. So, use plant ties to join adjacent limbs while allowing for expansion. The tied-together branches will eventually lead to inosculation, merging two plants into one.
Maintain your living fence
As fence roots spread, keep weeds away like other landscaping elements. Applying mulch around your living fence prevents weeds and keeps the soil healthy. The Tri-Cities climate and the plant selection can affect watering frequency. Also, pruning encourages new growth, and summer is the best time to prune your living fence unless you choose a flowering variety. When the blooms die in winter, you can trim your wall. Living fences need annual trimming to maintain form and size.
Landscape experts in Kingsport, Johnson City, and Bristol, Tennessee
Creating a beautiful yet functional living fence may take time, but the results can provide multiple benefits to your home and property. Whether you want to silence surrounding noise, stop the wind, or create additional privacy, a living fence may be the perfect addition to your landscape design. Contact our landscape design experts in the Tri-Cities area at Promier Landscapes today to find out more about living fences and the options available to you. Please call our office at (423) 872-2988 or contact us online today.