Creating a Better View, Fences, Hedges and Other Screening Strategies

A fence is just one way to create a sense of intimacy in a large landscape or privacy in any size yard.

But maybe you only need a small bit of screening. An attractive trellis, strategically placed can provide you and your neighbor with a bit of privacy.

A flower-covered berm can enclose an outdoor living space while improving the view on both sides. Raising the planting bed also increases the visual impact of the garden, improves drainage and can lift plants above standing water.

Add a bit of screening within the garden to mask utilities and other unsightly features. Use a plant covered trellis to a utility meter, yet allow needed access. Mix annual and perennial vines for quick and long term cover.

Use vine covered supports to brighten a wall. Clematis are traditional favorites that like their face in the sun and feet in the shade.

A bit more information: Trumpet vine (Campsis radicans) is a popular vine that can be seen trained on a trellis, over an arbor or along a fence. It prefers full sun and moist well-drained to dry soils. A favorite of hummingbirds, it often causes gardeners great frustration. Avoid over fertilization that can prevent bloom. Too much nitrogen will give you big plants covered with leaves but no flowers. And beware, these luxury feeders will seek out nutrients you provide to nearby plants. I use compost and low nitrogen slow release fertilizers, like Milorganite, in my landscape to avoid this problem.