Living fence ideas for your yard

We have all heard Robert Frost’s proverb, “Good fences make good neighbors.” Whether you take it as keeping your privacy or setting boundaries, Countryside Flower Shop, Nursery and Garden Center has some recommendations ideal for either circumstance.

If privacy is what you are looking for, consider an Emerald or a Dark Green Arborvitae. They will grow to a height of 10 to 15 feet tall and spread about 2 to 3 feet wide. Their tight-growing, soft foliage will not only add privacy to an area but will also provide a natural habit for birds.

Additionally, their rich green colors will add a nice backdrop to any garden area.

If you would like to create a path, a more formal, broadleaved evergreen will do the trick. We suggest boxwood for their small, dense leaves and form. They don’t need much to keep their shape as they have been bred to have a nice rounded shape perfect for hedges. Green Velvet is a tried-and-true boxwood at Countryside Flower Shop, Nursery and Garden Center. Growing to a mature height of 3 to 4 feet and spreading 3 to 4 feet these evergreens are just the right size for a hedging fence.

If you would rather enjoy the changing colors of leaves in the fall, might we suggest Chicago Lustre Viburnum, or Dogwoods. For spring appeal, choose forsythia for their bright yellow foliage in early spring or a beautiful lilac for fragrance and blooms.

Our ranch home has tall casement bedroom windows that you could walk in or out of and as a mom I was not comfortable with them being so easily accessible. This was the perfect place for us to plant Crimson Pygmy Barberry. It’s beautiful crimson red foliage was aesthetically pleasing with the blue siding and white trim. It grows in a low mounded form about 2 feet tall and 3 feet wide and has very nice thorns.

When you find yourself with a situation, be it the need for privacy, a formal hedge, or deterrent or simple to hide utility boxes, come see the Illinois Certified Nursery Professionals at Countryside and let us help you select the right plants for your needs.

Countryside Flower Shop, Nursery & Garden Center : 5301 E. Terra Cotta Ave (Rte 176), Crystal Lake, IL : 815.459.8130 : www.countrysideflowershop.com