Good Fences and Border Plants for Backyard Privacy

Creating Sanctuary

Yards are home extensions. Plants create living walls for privacy, especially in dense neighborhoods. Combine plants with fencing for cost savings and openness.

Plant Selection Criteria

Fast-growing, deer-resistant, pest-free.

Top Choices

• Western Red Cedar: Fast, hardy, deer-proof. Ideal for quick screens.
• Viburnums: Easy, underused, multi-season interest (flowers, berries, foliage, fragrance). Birds love them. Sizes: 2' shrubs to 20'+ trees.

Fence Integration

Solid fences cause claustrophobia, depreciate. Use only where year-round screening is essential. Plants soften long fence lines, reduce cost.

Energy Bonus

Well-placed trees shade in summer, block winter winds—like shelter belts out west. Best for property lines: Green Giant or Spring Grove arborvitae (fast, low maintenance).