The Official Blog of The Fence Authority

Perhaps the most exciting way to bring your outdoor living space to life is to add with flowers, plants, and climbing vines. Foliage and flowers can have a lot of payoff for minimal work. If you plant the right ones they can continue to bloom year after year and get more beautiful as time goes on.

But be careful! If you were thinking your fence would make a great trellis for climbing vines, know that some types of vines and plants can ruin your fence, and some fence types are better suited to this task than others. Read on to see what vines are best for growing on your fence.

Should I grow vines on my wood fence?

If you have a wood fence, you may not want to use your fence as a trellis for plants. Vines and foliage can trap moisture and cause your fence to rot. Woody vines can also grow between your fence’s pickets, causing them to crack or break. A separate trellis made for plants is a better option than risking the structural integrity of your fence.

Another option to introduce color near your wooden fence is to plant flowers in containers and set them along the fence line. This brings in color without worrying about the plants affecting your fence. Container gardens are also convenient for many other reasons, like the ability to move them if needed.

What about vines on vinyl?

A vinyl fence is a better option if you’d like to grow plants along your fence. Even though vinyl fences are hardy and structurally sound, you should avoid woody vines such as wisteria. Woody vines can become very heavy and topple nearly any structure.

Moisture is not as much of an issue with a vinyl fence as it is with a wood fence. If some algae grows on your vinyl fence from the extra moisture, it is easy to clean: you can simply wipe it off with water and a stiff bristle brush, or for tougher to remove residues, you can use soap as well.

Can plants climb my aluminum fence?

If you’d like to grow climbing plants along your fence, an aluminum fence is the best candidate. Aluminum fences are rust-resistant and sturdy. Our Activeyards aluminum fences even have the added benefit of screwless Corigin technology, so there is virtually no opportunity for rust to appear.

Like vinyl and wood, avoid woody vines even on an aluminum fence. Lighter herbaceous vines are a great option, though, and there are many varieties to choose from.

Other Things to Consider

Bugs. Introducing plants can bring more bugs and pests to your yard. It’s important to research the plant variety you’d like to put in, and make sure that you are prepared for the types of insects it can attract. This may affect if or where you decide to grow your plants.

Plant types. There are a ton of different types of climbing plants and flowering vines that you can plant to bring color and life to your yard. Clematis, climbing roses, and hops are some options that could be great for growing on your fence. Be sure to research your chosen plant to be sure it is able to be grown in your planting zone, and that you are providing it with its preferred light conditions.

Additional supports. Some plants may need additional support to keep them upright and growing properly along your fence. As with nearly every other aspect of growing your plants, you should do your research to ensure that you are providing the best conditions for both your plant and the fence you’re growing it on.

Do you have vines on your fence? What kind? Let us know in the comments!