Fences are often a necessary part of our gardens, but they can sometimes appear dull or imposing. A great way to transform the look of a fence while adding beauty, privacy, and even a little wildlife-friendly charm is by covering it with plants. Whether you want a full, lush green wall or a mix of flowers and foliage that change with the seasons, choosing the right plant to cover a fence can make a significant difference to your garden. In this blog, we’ll dive into the best plants for covering fences, taking into account factors such as growth habits, maintenance, climate suitability, and aesthetic appeal.
Why Cover Your Fence with Plants?
Before diving into the specifics, it’s essential to understand why you should consider planting to cover a fence. Here are a few reasons:
Privacy: A plant-covered fence can act as a natural privacy screen, shielding your garden from prying eyes while creating a more intimate space.
Aesthetic Appeal: A wall of greenery or flowers brings life to an otherwise dull fence, enhancing the visual appeal of your garden.
Wildlife-Friendly: Many climbing plants attract birds, butterflies, and bees, creating a beautiful, vibrant, and eco-friendly garden.
Noise Reduction: Dense plants can absorb sound, making them ideal for blocking out noise from traffic or neighbors.
Increased Value: A lush, well-maintained garden with a plant-covered fence adds value to your home and can improve curb appeal.
Now that we understand the benefits, let’s explore some of the top 12 plants that will work wonders for covering fence.
1. Clematis (Clematis spp.)
Clematis is a fast-growing climbing plant that provides stunning flowers in a wide range of colors, from purples and pinks to whites and reds. This vine is perfect for a fence because it can grow rapidly, covering large areas in no time, and it blooms profusely during the spring and summer months. Clematis prefers full sun and well-drained soil but can tolerate partial shade. Make sure to provide a trellis or support for the vines to climb on.
Best for: Flower enthusiasts, vibrant color, and quick growth.
2. English Ivy (Hedera helix)
English Ivy is a classic choice for covering fences, known for its ability to grow in both sunny and shady spots. It can quickly cover large areas, creating a dense, green wall. Ivy is an evergreen, so it will keep your fence covered year-round, providing privacy and shelter for wildlife during the colder months. It’s also very low-maintenance, making it ideal for those looking for a “set it and forget it” plant.
Best for: Year-round coverage, low-maintenance gardening, and shaded areas.
3. Wisteria (Wisteria sinensis)
Wisteria is an ornamental vine known for its beautiful cascading clusters of flowers, which appear in shades of purple, white, or blue. It grows quickly and will cover a fence in just a few seasons. While it thrives in full sun, wisteria can be somewhat aggressive and needs regular pruning to keep it from becoming too unruly. However, the sight of its stunning blooms in the spring makes it well worth the effort.
Best for: Those looking for a dramatic display of flowers and rapid growth.
4. Virginia Creeper (Parthenocissus quinquefolia)
Virginia Creeper is another fast-growing, deciduous vine that is perfect for covering a fence. It’s known for its vibrant red foliage in the fall, but it’s also a great option in the summer when it produces green leaves that provide dense coverage. This plant is excellent for hiding unattractive fences and walls. It’s particularly hardy and can thrive in full sun to partial shade.
Best for: Year-round interest with a dramatic fall color change.
5. Rose (Rosa spp.)
Roses, especially climbing and rambling varieties, are a fantastic way to add beauty and fragrance to your garden. They produce stunning flowers in nearly every color imaginable. Climbing roses are perfect for fences, growing up and across in a beautiful tangle of petals and foliage. They do require regular pruning and maintenance to ensure healthy growth and prevent disease, but the rewards in terms of fragrance and color are immense.
Best for: Flower lovers, gardeners willing to put in a bit more work, and fragrant flowers.
6. Trumpet Vine (Campsis radicans)
The Trumpet Vine is a vigorous climber with showy, trumpet-shaped orange or red flowers. It can quickly cover a fence and attracts hummingbirds, making it perfect for gardeners looking to add a splash of color and create a wildlife-friendly space. Trumpet vines prefer full sun and require a bit of maintenance to keep them under control, as they can become invasive if not carefully managed.
Best for: Those looking for a bold, colorful display and attracting wildlife.
7. Hops (Humulus lupulus)
If you’re looking for a fast-growing, dense plant, hops are an excellent choice. Known for its use in brewing beer, hops vines quickly cover fences, creating a thick green barrier. It produces delicate, cone-shaped flowers and is relatively easy to grow. Hops prefer full sun and moist, well-drained soil. They also require a sturdy support structure, such as a trellis or fence, to grow on.
Best for: Beer enthusiasts, rapid coverage, and textured greenery.
8. Jasmine (Jasminum spp.)
Jasmine is a fragrant vine that is perfect for adding a touch of elegance to your fence. It produces beautiful white or yellow flowers, depending on the variety, and has a sweet fragrance that fills the air during summer evenings. Jasmine grows best in full sun and well-drained soil. It does require some training to grow on a trellis or fence but is well worth the effort for its stunning blossoms and fragrance.
Best for: Fragrance lovers, gardeners who enjoy both beauty and scent.
9. Creeping Fig (Ficus pumila)
Creeping Fig is an evergreen vine that will cling tightly to a fence, creating a dense green cover. It’s ideal for those who want an easy-to-maintain, year-round plant that adds a soft, luxurious look to the garden. Creeping Fig is especially suitable for shady or partially shaded areas, where other plants may struggle to grow. It’s also low-maintenance and resilient in most conditions.
Best for: Those looking for low-maintenance, evergreen coverage, and shade tolerance.
10. Climbing Hydrangea (Hydrangea anomala petiolaris)
Climbing Hydrangea is a slow-growing but incredibly beautiful vine that can cover a fence with stunning green foliage and delicate white flowers in late spring or early summer. It’s a great choice for shady spots where many other climbers may not thrive. Once it establishes itself, it provides lovely blooms and lush green coverage for many years.
Best for: Shaded gardens, those looking for a slower-growing but steady option.
11. Passionflower (Passiflora spp.)
Passionflower is an exotic, fast-growing vine that produces intricate, purple or white flowers and is excellent for adding a tropical touch to your fence. It attracts pollinators and provides dense foliage that quickly covers the area. Passionflower thrives in full sun and well-drained soil, but it does need regular pruning to keep its growth in check.
Best for: Exotic blooms and gardeners with time for maintenance.
12. Climbing Hydrangea (Hydrangea anomala petiolaris)
Climbing hydrangeas are known for their ability to thrive in shady areas and provide dense coverage with their dark green leaves. They produce large, white lace-cap flowers during the summer months, adding an elegant touch to any garden. Climbing hydrangeas grow slowly but are long-lasting and make a great choice for providing shade and privacy along fences.
Best for: Shady spots, slow-growing but steady coverage.
Conclusion
Choosing the right plant to cover a fence can transform your garden, providing beauty, privacy, and a touch of nature. Whether you prefer a fragrant jasmine, a fast-growing ivy, or a flowering wisteria, there’s a plant to suit every garden style and level of care. Consider factors like sun exposure, soil conditions, and how much time you’re willing to invest in maintenance before selecting your plant. With the right choice, your fence can become a stunning feature that enhances your outdoor space, adds privacy, and creates a haven for wildlife. Happy gardening!
