Roses climbing a fence add a touch of romance.
In neighborhoods where houses sit close together, a fence offers privacy. When built around a vegetable garden, it protects the plants from foraging animals. On a farm, a fence keeps the animals in. A wrought iron fence around a country estate keeps intruders at bay and a fence encircling a swimming pool discourages trespassers. But as functional as a fence is, it can also be an eyesore. No matter what the purpose of your fence, you can make it more attractive.
Instructions
1. Border it with plants. Draw the eye down and away from the fence with a border of colorful flowers. Intersperse them with herbs and vegetables for more interest.
2. Cover it by planting shrubs or flowering bushes at least 2 feet from the base. Flowering bushes like lilacs and hydrangeas, with little or no trimming, will add a cottage garden flair while neatly trimmed boxwoods, bayberry bushes and holly are more formal in appearance. Plant climbing plants or vines.
Climbing plants like roses, trumpet vines and wisteria are fast-growing and will disguise the fence in no time.
3. Attach brackets to the fence posts and hang containers filled with flowers on them. Include flowers and plants that wind and trail like English ivy, trailing petunias and nasturtiums.
4. Train a tree or bush in the espalier method by pruning and tying it to grow flat along the fence. Forsythia, magnolias and hibiscus are plants to consider for espalier.
5. Paint the fence. Tone down a picket fence with a coat of white paint. Dress up a stockade fence with a coat of paint the same color as your house or one that contrasts with it for interest. Paint a mural or stencil a design. Choose a floral or garden theme or go with something that reflects other interests like sports, cars or a day at the beach.
6. Decorate the fence. Mount a colorful birdhouse on each post. Paint them all the same color or choose a different color for each. Hang garden-theme items on the fence, such as garden tools, colorful garden gloves, straw hats and flower pots. Choose a theme that mirrors another hobby or interest. If you are an avid fisherman, display a fishing creel, fishing hat, rod and waders. Weave designs into a chain link fence using colorful rope or ribbon.
Tips Warnings
Choosing fence slats with rounded rather than pointed tops will also soften the fence's appearance.
