by Jennifer Poindexter

QUESTION : What bushes make a good living fence ? We have a side of the house where we ’d like to grow something to hide a neighbor ’s surly chain - linkup fencing and give us some additional privacy at the same sentence . – Angelica M

ANSWER :   There are quite a few trees and shrubs which play for this design . I ’m going to share a elaborate leaning with you .

living fence

This way , you’re able to peck which choice work best for your stage set - up . Here are the shrub ( and a few trees ) which work well as a living fencing :

Why a Living Fence?

Before we dive into the plants that function best when create a living fencing , some may wonder why even make this character of fence . What are the benefit of living fences versus a regular fence ? Ca n’t you just put a few fencing post in the land and confiscate purchase fencing ?

you could but some people favor something a trivial dissimilar . Here are a few rationality why you might consider plant a living fence :

However , you should be aware there are some drawbacks to this vogue of fence . Namely , you must prune certain varieties of plants to keep your fence clean and tidy in appearance .

lilac living fence

A living fence also takes time . This wo n’t be something you plant and have an efficacious fence in a week . As with all plants , these must grow to be capable to produce beauty and serve up their purpose . This will take patience on your part .

Now that you have a not bad apprehension of why a living fencing may ( or may not ) work out for you , let ’s talk over which plants are best for the job .

1. Lilac

Lilac bushesare a favorite when creating a dwell fence for multiple reasons . First , they sense wonderful . If you ’d like a fresh lilac scent when you step outside of your home , this bush can render it .

Also , this bush come in a sort of colors and turn quickly . Therefore , if you need a beautiful and fast - growing living fencing , lilacs could be an excellent choice .

2. Weeping Willow

Weeping willowsare gorgeous trees that are frequently choose for a living fence . The rationality being is you’re able to institute the trees in such a way that the branches lace .

This can produce a fantastic secrecy fencing or even a singular seclusion tunnel around certain portions of your 1000 . These are cold hardy plants and are sleep with for growing quickly , too .

3. Euonymus

Euonymus is oft selected for a living fence because of its colors and adaptability . This bush is an evergreen and will uprise to be as marvellous as eight foot .

It produces atomic number 79 and green foliage . Plus , it grows well in most climates and can even digest growing in low - character soil .

4. Laurel

Laurel is another favorite of many gardeners because of its classic mode and lastingness . This Dubyuh come in a variety of size .

It ’s also an evergreen plant , so it will add smasher to your landscape yr - round . If you necessitate a hardy plant that will keep your home private and gorgeous , this could be the bush variety for you .

5. Hicks Yew

Hicksyewis a plebeian pick for a living fence because of its singular design and ability to keep your place lively without being too flashy .

This bush grow spiky green dense foliage . It ’s an evergreen , so it will stay brightly colored all class — a corking feature for a living privacy fence . During the wintertime , hicks yew produce red Chuck Berry . Overall , this plant life is low - maintenance . However , it can brown if exposed to too much winter malarky .

6. Juniper

Some people want a living fencing to provide privacy , while others desire stunner and a refreshing fragrance . If you ’d like all three , the Juniper could be for you .

This works comes in many fragrant motley . They produce beautiful berries which attract birds , and work well as born shelterbelt . Be mindful not to prune the juniper bush too heavily as this can cause dead stain in your fencing note .

7. Boxwood

Boxwood is perhaps one of the most traditional shrubs used to create a fence line around home base and near property line . The downside to this shrub is it takes time for them to grow .

However , once they ’re build , they ’re lasting . These evergreen plant shrub raise thick branches which are hard for anyone to see or wax through .

8. Thuja Trees

genus Thuja trees are an excellent option for a last fence . They get along in dissimilar diverseness with varying heights .

They also grow quickly and are an evergreen tree . If you need a living fence , which also provides protection from the wind , the thuja Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree could be a good selection for you .

9. Bamboo

In my area , many people farm bamboo as privacy screens . It ’s a durable plant that has a kind of use . If you postulate a fast - grow fence , this could be a great option .

Bamboo is low - sustentation and , as mentioned , grows quickly .   However , it can circularize quickly , too . Keep a close center on it to ensure it does n’t scatter outside of the doom grow space .

10. Cactus

Do you hold up in an area that is plagued with pests ? You need a cactus . This plant makes a tremendous living fence .

you could pick between remarkable or multi - branch variety show . They have few problem with pestilence and are howling at celebrate undesirable guests at alcove .

11. Hydrangea

Hydrangeasare large bushes know for the outsized flush they produce . These bushes come in an regalia of colors that are certain to brighten your landscape when in bloom .

Since hydrangeas reach a top and width of eight metrical foot , they could make a terrific fencing . Keep in mind , they lose their leaves in decline . Therefore , this wo n’t supply privacy year - round , but the seasonal flowers look fantastic .

12. Privet

Privet is another traditional option for make a fence line . It ’s an evergreen plant shrub that does produce flowers .

These blooms organise in the spring and early summer which is great for draw pollinators to your area . This bush is dense and can be clip to create unlike shapes . They make not bad live barrier between properties .

13. Forsythia

Many people love to grow forsythia around their home because of the stunning xanthous blooms . This plant lay on quite the show in other springiness .

If you ’d love to have a living fence that ’s show stop during sure share of the year , forsythia could be for you . It can also furnish quite a bit of privacy since this bush can uprise to be nine foot improbable .

14. Nigra Arborvitae

Nigra arborvitae is a tree , but when considering creating a living fence , it must be note . This evergreen plant grows in a triangular Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe .

It can develop as tall as 30 feet , so it should be great for create privateness and providing some tribute from the breaking wind .

15. Holly

When I was get up , animation fencing were the norm for many home . Holly Bush were a popular innate roadblock for creating this tone .

If you ’d like a traditional shrub to create a living privacy fence , do n’t forget about holly . It ’s an evergreen plant bush that grows well in all mood . It farm vibrant red berry and has dense , spiky branches and not usually trouble oneself by insects because it is very stout .

16. Butterfly Bush

I ’m a huge fan ofbutterfly bushes . They bring on gorgeous bloom and are a wonderful elbow room to attract pollinators to your railyard .

Even more important , this bush is drought - patient of and will bloom from outflow through fall . If you ’d like a colorful living fence , consider planting butterfly George W. Bush . They really do attract butterfly , by the way ! They are comparatively deer resistant .

17. Italian Cypress

The Italian cypress is another tree diagram that you oft see used in make living privacy fencing . These plants maturate as tall as 70 feet .

Though they are n’t known for their tightness , they can be space in a way that still provides concealment . Plus , they ’re great at providing jazz auspices . If you need a little superlative to your live fencing , conceive engraft this tree instead of a shrub .

18. Burning Bush

The final plant on our list is the burning bush . This option is great if you ’re look for a vivacious pop of coloration as the foliage of this plant turns red during the fall .

Burning bush issue forth in different varieties which range in meridian . The dwarf varieties spring up to be approximately three feet tall . The full sort can attain top of 20 feet or greater . You may also prune the bushes into a hedge , if this is your preference .

You now have many options for shrubs ( and a few Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree ) which are great for creating a living fence . Whether you ’d like this fence for privateness or for a windbreak , hopefully , this listing has left you barrack .

weeping willow living fence

Now , project out which plant best suits your needs , check into its originate conditions , and set about creating your dream living fence to brighten your home .

Learn More About Living Fences

https://extension.umaine.edu/gardening/2025-02-07/living-fence/

https://www.uaex.uada.edu/yard-garden/resource-library/plant-week/Living-Fences-2025-02-26.aspx

get across to get at TECHNICAL - NOTE - Gill_UT_How - to - establishing - a - inhabit - fence_Cambodia_2020_03.pdf

Euonymus living fence

laurel living fence

yew living fence

juniper living fence

boxwood living fence

thuja trees living fence

bamboo living fence

cactus living fence

hydrangea living fence

privet living fence

forsythia living fence

holly living fence

butterfly bush living fence

Italian fence living fence

burning bush living fence

landscaping wall ivy with text overlay gardening tips eighteen bushes and trees for a living fence