Transform Your Yard with Living Fences: Privacy and Wildlife Haven in One

In the quest for a beautiful and functional outdoor space, living fences are gaining popularity for their dual benefits: providing privacy and creating wildlife-friendly habitats. These green barriers not only shield your home from prying eyes but also offer a sanctuary for local wildlife. Here’s how you can transform your yard with a living fence that serves as both a privacy shield and a haven for nature.

What is a Living Fence?

A living fence, also known as a green fence or living barrier, is a boundary made from plants that grow together to form a natural screen. Unlike traditional fences made of wood or metal, living fences are dynamic and eco-friendly. They can be composed of evergreens, shrubs, trees, or vines tailored to meet specific privacy and aesthetic needs.

Benefits of Living Fences

1. Enhanced Privacy: Living fences provide a natural shield against view from neighbors and passersby. A well-planned arrangement of dense shrubs or trees can create a secluded space for relaxation and entertainment.

2. Wildlife Habitat: Living fences offer an array of benefits to local wildlife. They provide food, shelter, and nesting sites for birds, insects, and small mammals. Plants such as berry bushes attract birds, while flowering varieties invite pollinators like bees and butterflies.

3. Eco-Friendly Choice: Unlike traditional fences, living fences improve air quality by absorbing carbon dioxide and releasing oxygen. They also help with soil erosion control and reduce noise pollution by acting as sound barriers.

4. Low Maintenance: Once established, living fences require less maintenance compared to wooden or metal fences. Regular pruning and occasional fertilization are usually all that’s needed to keep them healthy and vibrant.

Choosing the Right Plants

Selecting the right plants for your living fence depends on your climate, soil type, and the level of privacy you desire. Here are some options to consider:

Evergreen Shrubs:

Plants like holly, arborvitae, and yew maintain their foliage year-round, ensuring consistent privacy.

• Arborvitae (Thuja): There are several types.  Western Red Cedar (Thuja plicata) are native to the Northwest.  The most well known variety is called Green Giant, that makes a very fast screen.  They grow in a narrow pyramid shape.  Deer Resistant.  American Arborvitae (Thuja occidentalis) is also popular and Native to the Northeast.  Emerald Green is the most common variety that grows slower and much narrower than most Arborvitae.  Very useful for screen in tight spaces.  Not deer resistant and sometimes susceptible to splitting from snow if not pruned properly.
• American Holly (Ilex opaca): Known for its glossy, evergreen leaves and bright red berries, American Holly offers excellent privacy and attracts birds, especially during winter.
• Boxwood (Buxus spp.): While not native, Boxwood is a popular choice for formal hedges due to its dense growth and tolerance of pruning. It’s great for creating a neat low to medium hedge, but relatively slow growing. Use narrow upright varieties such as Dee Runk, Graham Blandy, Fasitgiata or Green Mountain when looking for more height.  Small leaves create a fine texture.
• Japanese Holly (Ilex crentata) – similar in look and texture to Boxwood, with small, but shinier evergreen leaves.  Japanese Holly grow much faster than boxwoods.  Some varieties make good medium hedges.  There are some upright varieties such a Sky Pencil, Steeds and Chesapeake that make better privacy hedges.  More wind tolerant than boxwood, but not quite as cold tolerant.  Protect roots with mulch.  Do not plant in pot containers over the winter, they must be in the ground.
• Eastern Hemlock (Tsuga canadensis): This native evergreen provides dense foliage that offers year-round privacy and shelter. It also serves as a habitat for various wildlife.  Hemlocks lost popularity when an insect called Adelgid moved into the northeast many years ago.  We expect the popularity to grow again when that insect cycles out.

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Deciduous Trees and Shrubs:

For a living fence with seasonal changes, consider species below.  Plants that lose their leaves are not everyone’s idea of privacy or screening, but before you glaze over this section, please consider the benefits of deciduous plants.  Deciduous plants typically tolerate New England winters much better than evergreen hedges.  There is far less risk of damage from cold, wind, salt and snow often cause problems with evergreens. There is less risk of having to replace them.  Deciduous plants usually change in the seasons.  Some offer flowers, fall color, interesting bark or stems and berries for ornamental and wildlife reasons.

• Hornbeam (Carpinus ‘Fastigiata) or Sweetgum (Liquidambar ‘Slender Silhouette’): Both of these are trees that grow tall and narrow and make taller hedges for narrow spaces.  Sweetgum is native and has tremendous fall foliage.
• Privet (Ligustrum): is one of the more common hedges.  Known for their toughness and durability.  Most people prune and control these into squared or rounded hedges.  Some like them more natural and less pruned.  But for those liking the clipped look, be prepared to trim multiple times per year.  I have seen hedges kept anywhere between 3 to 15′ tall depending on age and how they are pruned.
• Hydrangea (Hydrangea spp.): Hydrangea paniculata (Panicle Hydrangea) is great for privacy with their dense growth and large flower heads.  Different varieties offer different heights, growth rates and ornamental characteristics.
• Viburnum:  there are too many types of Viburnums to list here.  Most have attractive white flowers.  Some are fragrant. Some are not. Some have attractive berries and fruits.  Some a great for wildlife.  Most have tremendous fall color.  they grow anywhere from 6-15′ in time.  Click here for a list of some of the varieties we carry.
• Winterberry (Ilex verticillata): this plant just blends in most of the season with average foliage.  But the show starts in the fall when the berries start turning red and thye are most showy in late fall and winter after all the leaves fall off and all you see is red berries.  The added benefit is birds love the berries for eating.  Humans love to cut the branches full of berries to using for Holiday decorating.
•  Also consider: Lilacs (Syringa), Sweet Pepper Bush (Clethra), Elderberry (Sambucus), Ninebark (Physocarpus), Weigela, Smokebush (Cotinus) to name a few more.  Use our plant research tool for learn more.

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Climbing Vines:

For a less conventional approach, use climbing vines like clematis or honeysuckle on trellises or arbors to create a green screen.

• Clematis (Clematis spp.): For a flowering option, Clematis varieties like ‘Jackmanii’ or ‘Nelly Moser’ provide beautiful blooms and can be grown on trellises or arbors for added privacy.
• Climbing Hydrangea: Grows in sun or shade.  The foliage is darker in shadier spots.  White lace cap like flowers.
• Climbing Roses: Come in a wide range of colors.  Many bloom most of the summer.  Must be grow in south facing conditions.  They do not tolerate shade very well.

Grasses and Bamboo:

We get asked about these a lot.  In some limited situations they may work for some people.  But in most cases they do not offer a great solution.  Grasses need to cut back before the spring, so they do not offer privacy after they are cut back until the re-grow later in the spring and early summer.  So during spring there is little privacy.  Bamboo have their own set of challenges.  First of all they are very expensive and even hard to find in the market place.  There are some varieties that are clump forming (behaved), but they do not grow fast or tall faster enough to get screening in many cases.  The spreading, running types can be invasive and almost irresponsible to plant unless you are an expert in growing them and willing to invest in bamboo root barriers.  Make sure you do your homework if you choose to any of these plants.

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Design Tips for a Successful Living Fence

1. Plan for Growth: Consider the mature size of your plants to ensure they will provide the level of privacy you need. Space them properly to allow for healthy growth.

2. Layering: If you do not want the monotonous fence look it is okay to combine a mix of plants using different heights and textures to create a visually appealing and effective barrier. Use taller trees or shrubs at the back with shorter plants in front.  Keep in mind taller plants may cast shade on lower ones, so plan accordingly.

3. Regular Maintenance: Prune regularly to maintain shape and density. Some plants need little pruning, others call for more.  Address any pest or disease issues promptly to keep your fence healthy.

4. Incorporate Wildlife-Friendly Features: Consider adding birdhouses, bat boxes, or pollinator-friendly plants to enhance the habitat value of your living fence.

5. Seasonal Interest: Incorporate plants that provide year-round interest, such as evergreens for winter privacy and flowering plants for summer color.