The best fence line landscaping ideas can have a dramatically positive effect on the look and feel of your front and backyard–increasing both your property's kerb appeal and your own enjoyment of your outside space.
When considering landscaping ideas, it's important that the materials and plants you use work with the style of your home and are suitable for your climate. A tropical oasis of palm trees might sound appealing, but if you live in a Brooklyn brownstone, they might look out of place and find it hard to thrive.
Choosing the best plants for a fence line doesn't have to be daunting, it's just a matter of softening the 'hardscape' ie the brick, timber and stone etc with greenery that will flatter your home's exterior, is suitable for your region and easy to maintain. There are wider benefits too. So what do landscapers and garden designers suggest?
As well as being more pleasing to look at, plants and trees along a fence line can make urban environments more comfortable to be in too.
"By covering hard, heat-reflecting surfaces with more vegetation, plantings can lower the temperature of the ambient air in cities," explains Kelly D. Norris, ecological horticulturalist and author of New Naturalism.
"Research has shown that surfaces such as glass, concrete, and steel that were covered in plants were 20–45°F (11–25°C) cooler than when the same materials were unshaded. This organic air conditioning reduces energy use, improves air quality, and lowers greenhouse gas emissions."
Choosing a privacy fence with flat, narrow slats in honey-toned timber and thin gaps brings a fresh, modern style to a garden. This simple, linear fence beautifully offsets tall grasses and leafy foliage for a lush landscape of complementary tones and texture.
"Tall, swaying grasses like miscanthus or pennisetum add height, movement, and a softness against a horizontal slatted timber fence," says Gina Taylor, garden designer and founder, East London Garden Design.
"A fence crafted from soft-toned woods like cedar, larch, or thermally treated ash offers a clean and contemporary design that works well with the naturalistic planting."
If you want something more sturdy than a fence or hedge, an equally beautiful but lower-maintenance option is a reclaimed brick wall. Chosen well, this has the added benefit of blending with your home's exterior and looking like it's always been there. Depending on the style of the rest of your garden, plant vines to climb over it or espaliered fruit trees for a charming kitchen garden feel.
"For a timeless, characterful garden boundary, nothing beats the beauty of reclaimed bricks— particularly ones that match the style and patina of older terraced houses," says Gina Taylor, garden designer and founder, East London Garden Design. "It adds instant depth and history to your space, while championing a more sustainable, environmentally mindful approach.
"Rather than opting for imposing walls, a lower brick wall offers just the right balance of privacy and openness. The textured, weathered surface of old bricks acts as the perfect backdrop for climbing plants. Train ivy, star jasmine, or climbing roses to scramble over it and soften the structure, creating a lush, layered look that changes beautifully with the seasons.
"For an even more purposeful garden, espaliered fruit trees — apples, pears, or figs — can be carefully trained against the sun-warmed brick, blending beauty with productivity in a way that feels entirely natural.
"Choosing reclaimed materials gives new life to old resources, reduces environmental impact, and ensures your garden feels seamlessly connected to its surroundings."