Designing a Unique Garden Fence

While fences are often first thought of for their utility, they can be amazing garden structures that make a big design impact

Fencesare to landscape as dental program are to general wellness insurance in the United States — crucial to the unity of the whole but treated like a stand - alone issue until something starts to decay . And yet few things can detract from abeautiful landscapelike a pitiful fencing choice . cogitate generic contractor special that does n’t match thearchitectureof a house , or an unstained fence that visually predominate a landscape due to its light color or molder wood .

see more : A Gorgeous Garden Design to Border a Fence

So what kind of fence might be desirable of your garden ? lease ’s set out with the basics :

What’s it for?

Before we loose our creativity , we call for to have it off our requirements . Simply put , the role of the fencing will drive our design option . Here ’s a quick determination tree to narrow down the option :

Once we understand the limiting ingredient , we ’re ready to design . Let ’s look at some big alternative .

1. Plant a living fence, a.k.a. a hedge

Often call a light-green , bio , or aliveness fence , flora fabric provides the needed structure for this borderline , with the add together welfare of creating a wildlife home ground in the process . The most common mode is a uniform wall of a single specie — a definitive choice , though the consequences of dieback are gamey with a monoculture , potentially lead you with a cakehole in your fence . However , you could perhaps seize the opportunity to tote up a merriment door !

But we ’re talk about unequalled fence , so why not go bolder with a miscellaneous planting ? view the stellar Pool House Hedge fromStoneleigh : anatural garden . Emerald Green arborvitae(Thuja occidentalisSmaragd ’ , zone 3–7 ) andeastern white pine(Pinus strobus‘Fastigiata ’ , Zones 4–9 ) intermingle , while a individual bright ‘ Yellow Ribbon ’ arborvitae ( Thujaoccidentalis‘Yellow Ribbon ’ , Zones 3–7 ) jumps out for attention .

Ethan Kauffman , film director of Stoneleigh , emphasizes their embrace of measured dissymmetry throughout the dimension , which bring to the dynamic , colorful , and coarse-textured biodiversity . If you ’re not convinced in your ability to mix and equate this way , you could use a more veritable pattern of 2–3 species , but this count awful fun to try .

Maybe you have intercourse this idea and want to take it even further — the“Wildlife Hedge”at Stoneleigh has over 60 types of woody plant . I asked Ethan if he thought the mean home gardener could manage such a planting , and he insure me that anyone who can fleece a omission Arthur Stanley Jefferson Laurel ( Prunuslaurocerasus‘Schipkaensis ’ , Zones 5–9 ) hedge can do the same with something more diverse . But take note of the implied upkeep requirements ; this option need even tending .

baksheesh : Unless you ’re working with small shrub , planting 4 feet on center is a sound rule of thumb .

2. Play with the components

The vertical and horizontal components of a fence ( Wiley Post , boards , rails ) give us many opportunities to do something unexpected . regard the example below , where stone pillar replace simple posts , and solid horizontal boards create seclusion and a tender , constituent direct contrast to the stone . The visual weight of this composition create a sheer entrance , clearly define public and private space . The column theme could be bear throughout the prop or be used as punctuation at authoritative points like corner and logic gate .

In stark contrast , consider the light concoction of a fence fromLynley Ogilvie Landscape Design . The low-spirited height and loose design suggest enclosure while still ask for us to view the home and garden . The circular medallion mince the angle of the thwart elements , and the bent top railing adds a soft curve to the whole . paint the fencing to pair the existing pergola along the house ties the elements together — not monovular , but cohesive .

gratuity : Not trusted where to originate customise your elements ? Look for pool stick in the sign of the zodiac computer architecture ( a stone or brick founding , for example ) , or around the property to tie your material choices into the gravid landscape painting .

3. Paint your existing wood fence

These are fun approximation , but what if you already have a perfectly serviceable wood fencing that you ’re not quick or able to put back ? An unstained , wooden fencing incline to be neutral at best , and often a misdirection ( bright new wood or decaying old woods ) . In contrast , even the simplest style is lift when painted or stained . Consider wave your magic paint copse to transform your walker fence into an elegant backdrop .

If the thought of choosing a grime do instant anxiety ( so many key chips to agonize over at 3 a.m. ) , let me avail you — choose fatal . This might palpate like a bluff selection , but a shameful fencing most often drop off into the backdrop , providing a subtle environs and the stark foil for verdure . Whatever you do , avoid colors with the word “ cedar tree ” in them unless you really , really like orange .

Tip : Unsure of the difference between stain and rouge ? Stain is design to penetrate the woodwind instrument , whereas paint generally sit on the surface . I utilize a upstanding or semi - solid stain when possible .

Bottom line: have fun!

Depending where you live , you may have all sorts of fence going on at once , and that ’s okay , too . utilize plant or design motifs to unite your distance and celebrate that your garden is uniquely yours !

get more fencing and secrecy ideas :

And for more Mid - Atlantic regional reports , click here .

Maureen Robinson is United States President of the Washington , DC , Maryland , and Virginia chapter of the Association of Professional Landscape Designers ( APLD ) .

Photos and illustration : courtesy of Maureen Robinson

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