Nov 4, 2026 · @Jason
Your fence does a lot of hard work. It keeps the dog in, keeps the neighbors' view out, and marks where your yard begins and ends. But for most homeowners, the fence line is also the most forgotten strip of the property: a long, flat edge with some patchy grass and a few weeds that the mower never quite reaches.
It doesn't have to be. With the right plants, a few well-placed planters, and some seasonal touches, your fence can become the backdrop that pulls the whole yard together. Here are our favorite ideas from years of building fences and caring for yards across Delaware County.
What to Plant Along Your Fence
Before you pick plants, spend a day watching how the sun hits your fence. A south-facing fence can bake in full sun, while a north-facing one may sit in shade most of the day. Then leave a little breathing room: planting 12 to 18 inches off the fence lets air move, keeps moisture off the panels, and gives you space to reach the fence for cleaning or repairs.
Climbers that soften the fence
Climbing plants turn a plain fence into a living wall. On vinyl or finished wood, give them a trellis or wire set slightly in front of the panels so the vines don't grip or stain the fence itself.
Clematis blooms in purple, white, and pink, and stays light enough for a trellis. It likes its roots shaded and its top in the sun.
Climbing roses bring classic color all summer and look great against a white vinyl fence.
Climbing hydrangea is the go-to for a shady fence line, with lacy white flowers in early summer.
Native coral honeysuckle attracts hummingbirds without the spreading problems of invasive honeysuckles.
One to avoid: English ivy and Chinese wisteria look charming but spread aggressively and can damage fences and structures.
Shrubs for structure and privacy
Arborvitae (Green Giant or Emerald Green) adds year-round green height and extra privacy above the fence.
Hydrangeas fill out a sunny or part-shade bed with big summer blooms that dry beautifully into fall.
Boxwood keeps a neat, formal edge along a front-yard fence.
Knock Out roses bloom from late spring until frost with very little care.
Perennials for the front of the bed
Sunny spots: coneflower, black-eyed Susan, catmint, and ornamental grasses like little bluestem
Shady spots: hostas, ferns, coral bells, and astilbe
Finish the bed with a fresh layer of mulch. It holds moisture, keeps weeds down, and gives the whole fence line a clean, finished look.
No Room to Dig? Bring in Planter Boxes
Not every fence line has good soil. Some run along a driveway, a patio, or a strip of hard-packed clay. That's where planter boxes shine. They let you put color exactly where you want it, and you can move them as your yard changes.
Our custom-built planter boxes measure 18" x 19" x 19" and are built by our team. At nearly 4 cubic feet, they hold plenty of soil for healthy roots, yet stay compact enough to line a fence, flank a gate, or frame a front walk. A pair on each side of a gate makes an instant welcome. A row of three or four along a long fence breaks up the stretch and draws the eye down the yard.
Fill them for every season
Season: Planter idea
Spring: Pansies, violas, and tulip or daffodil bulbs planted the fall before
Summer: A "thriller, filler, spiller" mix: a tall grass or canna, petunias or lantana, and trailing sweet potato vine
Fall: Hardy mums, ornamental kale and cabbage, and a small pumpkin or two tucked in
Winter: Fresh-cut evergreen boughs, red winterberry or dogwood branches, pinecones, and a set of battery-powered lights
A few tips: use a quality potting mix rather than yard soil, make sure water can drain out the bottom, and plan to water more often in July and August, since containers dry out faster than garden beds.
Planter boxes also make a great gift for the gardener on your list. Call us at (610) 881-6010 to order yours.
Decorating Your Fence for the Holidays
A fence is a ready-made display wall, and it's one of the first things neighbors see. A little decoration goes a long way.
Christmas and winter
Hang a matching wreath on every fence post or every other panel, finished with red or plaid bows.
Drape fresh or faux garland along the top rail and tuck lights into it.
Wrap posts in white or red lights for a candy-cane effect, or add post-cap lights for a soft glow along the whole run.
Set a pair of planter boxes at the gate filled with evergreen boughs, birch logs, and berries.
Fall and Halloween
Stack pumpkins, mums, and hay bales along the base of the fence.
Weave orange lights or faux autumn leaf garland through the top rail.
For Halloween, a few lightweight hanging ghosts or bats along the fence make a fun walkway for trick-or-treaters.
Spring and summer
Hang small window boxes or flower baskets from fence brackets.
Add red, white, and blue bunting along the fence for Memorial Day and the Fourth of July.
String café lights across the backyard fence for summer evenings outside.
Hang decorations without hurting your fence
Vinyl fences are low-maintenance, but they don't like nails or screws. Holes can crack the vinyl and void the warranty. Instead, use plastic gutter-style light clips, over-the-rail hooks, zip ties, or fence-specific hangers that slip over the top rail. On wood fences, choose rust-resistant hooks so you don't end up with streaks. And always use outdoor-rated lights and extension cords plugged into a GFCI outlet.
Skip the Ladder: Let Us Hang Your Christmas Lights
There's nothing like pulling into a driveway glowing with lights. There's also nothing like untangling strands in the cold, balancing on a ladder, and finding out half a string is dead.
This year, let Jensen Fencing and Property Maintenance handle it. Our Christmas light installation covers your rooflines, fence lines, trees, shrubs, and walkways. We design the layout, hang everything safely with clips that won't damage your home or fence, and make sure it all lights up before we leave. Book early, since our holiday calendar fills fast after Thanksgiving.
Let's Make Your Fence Line the Best Part of the Yard
Whether you want a planted fence bed, a few planter boxes by the gate, or a full yard makeover, our crew can help. Our landscaping services include:
Landscape design and new plantings
Mulch application and bed cleanouts
Shrub and tree trimming
Fall cleanups and leaf removal
Aeration, over-seeding, and yard grading
Snow removal and salting
And if your fence itself needs some love, we build and repair fences too. Ask about our multi-service discounts when you bundle fencing, landscaping, and holiday lighting.
Jensen Fencing and Property Maintenance is a veteran-owned business proudly serving Clifton Heights and the surrounding Delaware County communities. Click here to make a service request or Call (610) 881-6010 or email Magaly@jensenfencing.com for a free estimate.
