How to Disguise Fencing

Disguise unsightly fences with vegetation.

Some fencing is simply not very pretty. You can make your utilitarian fencing into an attractive asset in your garden by painting a mural on it, for example, if the fence is flat surfaced, like a dog-ear wooden fence. For other types of fences, you can use plants as decorative elements.

Things You'll Need

• Flowering vines
• Grape vines
• Hedge plants
• Tall plants
• Netting
• Flower boxes
• Sculptural decor

Instructions

1. Twine flowering vines through chain-link fences.

2. Grow a grape vine over a chain-link or heavily-constructed fence. It will cover the fence with thick foliage for much of the year and offer tasty grapes as a bonus.

3. Make a living fence. You can use ocotillo, boxwood, bamboo or any other interesting plant. Hedges can be created in many styles. Cut them geometrically for a formal look or let them grow freely for a natural appearance. You can even grow narrow bushes close to one another to form a living fence.

4. Plant a tall garden. If you have fencing that doesn't look very interesting, you can use it as the backdrop to a well-designed garden. If the garden is exciting, it takes all the attention away from the fencing. You can also hang interesting materials like netting, flower boxes or sculptural decor on the fence.

References

• "Fine Gardening" magazine; Of Fences and Gardens; George Nash