Best Plants to Cover Fence

Transforming a plain fence into a vibrant, living wall is an exciting gardening project that adds both beauty and functionality to your outdoor space. By strategically planting the right climbing plants, you can create a stunning, eco-friendly screen that provides privacy, blocks unsightly views, and attracts beneficial wildlife. Let's explore the best plants to cover a fence, ensuring a lush, thriving vertical garden that enhances your home's curb appeal.

When selecting plants to cover your fence, consider factors such as growth habit, hardiness, maintenance requirements, and the desired effect you want to achieve. Whether you're aiming for a dense screen, a colorful display, or a fragrant haven, there's a perfect plant for your fence. Let's dive into the best options, categorized by their primary attributes.

Evergreen Climbers for Year-Round Privacy

Evergreen plants provide continuous coverage and privacy, making them ideal for screening unsightly views or creating a secluded outdoor space. Here are two exceptional evergreen climbers to consider:

English Ivy (Hedera helix)

English Ivy is a vigorous, hardy climber that thrives in various conditions, from full sun to deep shade. Its glossy, dark green leaves provide dense coverage, and it's an excellent choice for hiding unsightly walls or fences. English Ivy can be trained to grow along wires or trellises, or left to cling to surfaces using its adhesive holdfasts.

To control its aggressive growth, plant English Ivy in a contained area or choose a cultivated variety with slower growth, such as 'Goldheart' with its heart-shaped, golden variegated leaves.

Boston Ivy (Parthenocissus tricuspidata)

Boston Ivy is another robust, deciduous climber that provides excellent fall color and dense, evergreen-like coverage in milder climates. Its small, dark green leaves turn brilliant red in autumn before dropping, revealing attractive, peeling bark on the fence. Boston Ivy is easy to grow and produces small, grape-like berries that attract birds.

Plant Boston Ivy in well-drained soil and provide support with wires or trellises. Unlike English Ivy, it doesn't cling to surfaces with adhesive holdfasts, making it easier to remove if necessary.

Colorful Climbers for Seasonal Interest

Add vibrant color and seasonal interest to your fence with these show-stopping climbers that bloom throughout the growing season:

Clematis

Clematis is a versatile, flowering vine that comes in various sizes, colors, and bloom times. Choose from early-blooming varieties like 'Jackmanii' with its deep purple flowers or late-blooming types such as 'Nelly Moser' with its large, pink blooms. Plant clematis in well-drained soil and provide support with trellises or wires. Prune according to the specific variety's growth habit to encourage optimal flowering.

For a stunning, continuous display, plant clematis with companion plants that provide early season interest, such as spring bulbs or perennials, and enjoy a beautiful, layered effect.

Wisteria

Wisteria is a stunning, fast-growing vine that produces cascades of lavender, purple, or white flowers in late spring. Choose from American Wisteria (Wisteria frutescens) or Chinese Wisteria (Wisteria sinensis), depending on your climate and desired growth habit. Both species are deciduous and produce attractive, peeling bark on the fence when mature.

Plant Wisteria in well-drained soil and provide support with sturdy trellises or wires. Prune annually to encourage bushy growth and prevent it from becoming invasive. Plant Wisteria away from gutters and other structures, as its strong tendrils can cause damage.

Rose of Sharon (Hibiscus syriacus)

Rose of Sharon is a hardy, deciduous shrub that can be trained as a climber, providing late summer color with its showy, trumpet-shaped flowers. Available in various colors, including white, pink, purple, and red, Rose of Sharon attracts pollinators and provides a striking backdrop to your garden.

Plant Rose of Sharon in full sun to partial shade and provide support with trellises or wires. Prune in late winter or early spring to encourage bushy growth and remove any dead or damaged wood.

Transforming your fence into a living, breathing masterpiece is an exciting and rewarding project. By selecting the best plants to cover your fence, you'll create a stunning, eco-friendly screen that enhances your home's curb appeal and provides a sanctuary for wildlife. So go ahead, let your green thumb run wild, and enjoy the fruits of your labor as your vertical garden flourishes and thrives.