Organic Fences (aka Hedges)

What is an organic fence? It is simply a hedge with a name upgrade. Hedges have been around many, many years, but to upgrade to an organic fence, gives a feeling up limitless boundaries. There are several types of organic fences that one may decide to plant, but first you must decide the purpose, the location, the desired maintenance, and rate of growth. Once you have figured that out, you can start buying plants. Take a look at the helpful tips below.

Fences based on HEIGHT:
1. Low/border fences are generally a foot or two high and mainly serve as a border/trim. You may want to use such a low fence around a garden or on the edge of a walkway. A low fence isn’t going to keep much out of your garden or yard, but it can serve as a nice aesthetic border to areas, and may help to keep people from straying off the path onto the lawn.
Plants to consider: lavender, coreopsis, hosta, cotoneaster, nasturtium

2. Medium fences are not too short or too tall. They are usually three to four in height and can be used to keep out animals or people, and can give you a little bit of privacy. Medium height fences can also hide a set of ugly garbage cans or the lower half of a really ugly shed. Thorny bushes, like wild roses, can strongly discourage animals or children from crawling through your fence. These same plants can also be good to plant around low windows to keep one from sneaking in or out.
Plants to consider: spirea, forsythia, purple-leaf sand cherry, burning bush, roses

3. Tall privacy or windbreak fences can range from five to six feet or more. A windbreak of enormous pine trees can grow to 60 feet tall. Tall organic fencing can help block the wind, keep snow from blowing onto your property, and provide some relief from your nice but nosy neighbor’s ever watchful eye.
Plants to consider: rose of sharon, arborvitae, eastern white pine, clumping bamboo

4. Fences made with climbing vines are more of a hybrid living/non-living fence, as they incorporate a trellis or other means of support for the plants. A fancy or scrolled metal trellis can look attractive all by itself during the winter months, and two sturdy poles with some netting or string between them can form an almost invisible way for you to create a flowering fence of vines.
Plants to consider: climbing roses, morning glory, climbing nasturtium, honeysuckle

Fences based on MAINTENANCE:
1. Low maintenance: Informal fencing requires the least amount of maintenance. Many flowering shrubs look their best when left to grow in a natural form. Shrubs like forsythia can be trimmed into neat lines if you really want to, but they look lovely in the spring when their naturally cascading branches are full of yellow flowers. Spirea and rose of sharon both grow into naturally beautiful shapes. If you have a long fence, you can alternate two or three types of bushes; it is best to choose bushes that are similar in size, shape, and appearance. Pay attention to the planting instructions and the final size of your plants; if you plant them too close to a walkway or road, you may end up having to constantly trim them after all.

2. High maintenance: If you want a well- groomed, well-manicured fence, be prepared to spend several hours a week on it. Many evergreens can be pruned into whatever shape you desire, but the drawback is that, once you start pruning and clipping, it is important to keep it up, or your hedges will look like they badly need a haircut. Flowering shrubs work less well as a formal hedge; many only flower on new growth. If you keep trimming new growth, it is likely that you will rarely see any flowers. Shrubs like the burning bush or purple-leaf sand cherry can still provide color and interest, and take well to trimming. When planting a formal organic fence, it is important to space the plants closer together. Spacing them too far apart can create unsightly gaps in your otherwise perfectly square, rounded, or rabbit-shaped hedge.

Tips on fences based on PLANT GROWTH/AREA:
Before buying a truckload of plants, take a moment to consider where you plan on putting them. Plants labels will tell you what zone (area of the country) they will grow in, as well as their sun and water requirements. If you live in Zone 4, a plant labeled Zone 7 will not survive the winter. Similarly, a plant that requires full sun or very little water will not do well in a shady, wet location. Some plants may survive in less sun or water than their label states, but they will not grow as fast or as well.

Plant labels will also state the growth rate of a plant. Even if your chosen plant has a fast growth rate, keep in mind that your fence will take at least several years to grow to the size you may desire. The larger your intended fence, the longer it will take to get there. Bigger plants can be bought, but they are significantly more expensive, and more difficult to maneuver into your yard. If you need a privacy screen immediately, consider growing annual vines (like morning glory) up a trellis on the shady side of your newly planted fence (so they don’t block the sun from your smaller fence plants.)

If your budget is limited, choose plants that reproduce easily, and add more as they are created. Rose of sharons reseed themselves quickly, and forsythia is easily rooted. Simply bend down a branch and bury the end in the dirt. When roots develop, cut the new plant off several feet from the roots and transplant it.

Hopefully, the tips above should help you find an organic fence that suits your tastes, your level of commitment, and your budget.

Happy Planting!

Information courtesy of Contractor Source.

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