
Create a Border Garden
We recently bought a house with a metal fence in the backyard. I’m a beginning gardener and would like to plant a border garden that would give the fence some character. Can you make some recommendations? I don’t want plants that will spread into my neighbor’s yard.
A combination of ornamental grasses and perennials can improve your view. Silver grass (Miscanthus sinensis) grows in clumps and varies in height from 3 to 12 feet. These grasses create a great backdrop for perennials and provide visual interest and screening from summer through winter. Switchgrass (Panicum) cultivars will also provide screening and seasonal interest. But you should avoid the native switchgrass—it’ll find its way into your neighbor’s yard. Feather reed grass (Calamagrostis) is a shorter, more stiffly upright-growing grass. For additional seasonal color, include some perennials such as Siberian iris, threadleaf coreopsis, Boltonia, aster, fern leaf yarrow and salvia. Coneflowers and rudbeckia also make nice additions, but be careful, they spread easily. By deadheading, or removing, their faded flowers, you’ll reduce the chances of their offspring moving into your neighbor’s yard. Always be sure to select varieties of these plants that are hardy in your area and suitable for the growing conditions in your yard.
Related
Upcoming Live Events
& Webinars
Feb. 14-16, 2025
NARI Milwaukee Spring Home Improvement Show
West Allis, WI
Feb. 19, 2025
FREE WEBINAR:
Strategies for Managing Invasive Plants
Register here
Feb. 26, 2025
FREE WEBINAR:
Create a Beautiful Shade Garden
Register here
Feb. 27, 2025
FREE WEBINAR:
How to Select Rain Garden Plants
Register here
March 12, 2025
FREE WEBINAR:
Grow Pollinator-friendly Spring and Summer Flowering Bulbs
Register here
March 19, 2025
FREE WEBINAR:
Be a Waterwise Gardener
Register here
March 22, 23, 29, 30, 2025
REALTORS Home & Garden Show
West Allis, WI
March 26, 2025
FREE WEBINAR:
Succession Planting & Crop Rotation
Register here
March 27, 2025
FREE WEBINAR:
Rain Garden Q & A
Register here
April 2, 2025
FREE WEBINAR:
Container Gardens for Sun & Shade
Register here
April 10, 2025
FREE WEBINAR:
Reinvigorate Your Rain Garden
Register here
May 7, 2025
FREE WEBINAR:
Vertical Gardening
Register here
May 15, 2025
FREE WEBINAR:
7 Steps to Managing Water on Your Property
Register here
June 4, 2025
FREE WEBINAR:
Attracting Hummingbirds
Register here
WATCH ON-DEMAND WEBINARS
Learn More