Making decorative fence borders.
Oftentimes, fences look pretty dull compared to the tapestry of ornamental plants that peek out from behind them. Liven up the look of your landscape fence borders by incorporating living or non-organic decorative elements. Use your existing garden, home's architecture or natural surroundings as inspiration. Give your neighbors another reason to stare in awe over your landscaping. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
Living Plants
1. Check the amount of light your fence receives. Most plants can grow in full sunlight conditions; however, there are also a wealth of plants that can grow in partial shade. Make a diagram of your fence and indicate the measurements of the fencing and the amount of light each area receives. Include the height of the fence.
2. Decide what type of plant you would like to grow either on or in front of the fencing. You can use climbing plants like clematis, ivy or roses to grow on the actual fencing. Also, you can grow medium-height shrubbery, ornamental trees or bordering plants like pansies in front of the fence.
3. Plant next to the fence. Place a net over the fence for climbing vines. Tie the canes loosely with pieces of nylon to the netting. Space shrubbery and bordering plants far enough apart so they receive air circulation, yet contribute a uniform row.
4. Keep your natural, decorative elements looking their best by pruning them to keep a streamlined look. Your fencing can take on a chaotic aesthetic if plants are left to their own devices and grow outside their designated areas. Use bypass shears, lopping shears and a pruning saw for shrubs to maintain your natural look.
Inorganic Decoration
5. Paint your fence to perk up the motif of the fencing. Picket fences do not always have to be painted white. You can use the exterior color scheme of the home or a predominant ornamental flower color used in the landscaping.
6. Bring your fence measurements with you to the paint store. One gallon of paint covers 350 square feet of fencing. Buy plastic to place on the ground to avoid getting paint on the grass.
7. Pick a warm, sunny day to paint. Wash the fence off and dry with towels to remove dirt. Roll the paint with paint rollers, but use small natural bristle brushes for small hard-to-reach areas.
Tags: your fence, amount light, bordering plants, decorative elements, fence borders, plants like, plants that
