How to Plant Around Your Fence for a Natural, Finished Look

Your fence doesn’t have to be where your landscape ends — it can be where it comes to life.

Planting intentionally around your Eden Fence Co. hog wire fence panels helps your yard feel grounded and connected to nature. With the right mix of texture, color, and height, you can transform your fence line into a lush backdrop that looks like it’s always belonged.

Here are a few simple ideas to get started:

1️⃣ Mix heights for depth.
Plant taller evergreens or ornamental grasses behind your fence and layer smaller shrubs or perennials in front. This creates natural flow and visual balance. 

2️⃣ Choose native, low-maintenance plants.
For the Pacific Northwest & Seattle area, consider sword ferns, salal, mock orange, red flowering currant, or ornamental grasses. They thrive in our climate and require minimal care.

• 🌲 Tall Layer – Background Plants (4–10 ft+)

Evergreens & Shrubs

• • Pacific Wax Myrtle (Myrica californica) – Dense, evergreen, and fragrant; perfect privacy filler.

  • Western Sword Fern (Polystichum munitum) – Classic Northwest fern, lush and hardy.

  • Red-twig Dogwood (Cornus sericea) – Adds height and striking red stems in winter.
  • Tall Oregon Grape (Mahonia aquifolium) – Evergreen with yellow spring blooms and blue berries for wildlife.
  • Vine Maple (Acer circinatum) – Small native tree with gorgeous fall color; ideal for dappled shade.

Ornamental Grasses (Tall)

• • Tufted Hairgrass (Deschampsia cespitosa) – Airy seed heads, soft movement, 2–4 ft tall.

  • Blue Joint Grass (Calamagrostis canadensis) – Upright form, great contrast against wood fencing.

• 🌿 Mid Layer – Shrubs & Medium Perennials (1–3 ft)

Use these in front of the tall layer for balance and color.

• • Snowberry (Symphoricarpos albus) – White berries and delicate branches; loves partial shade.

  • Kinnikinnick / Bearberry (Arctostaphylos uva-ursi) – Evergreen groundcover shrub with pink flowers.

  • Coastal Strawberry (Fragaria chiloensis) – Spreads beautifully at the base, evergreen leaves.

  • Douglas Aster (Symphyotrichum subspicatum) – Late-summer purple blooms; pollinator magnet.

  • Red Columbine (Aquilegia formosa) – Striking red-yellow flowers; perfect near shaded fences.

  • Wild Bleeding Heart (Dicentra formosa) – Soft texture and pink spring blooms under partial shade.

• 🌸 Low / Front Layer – Groundcovers & Edgers (< 1 ft)

These soften the fence line and blend the transition from structure to soil.

• • Inside-out Flower (Vancouveria hexandra) – Elegant woodland groundcover with delicate white blooms.

  • Evergreen Huckleberry (Vaccinium ovatum – dwarf variety) – Compact, glossy, and edible berries.

  • Creeping Oregon Grape (Mahonia repens) – Tough evergreen with yellow blooms; great erosion control.

  • Woodland Strawberry (Fragaria vesca) – Small, cheerful berries and lush green matting.

  • Licorice Fern (Polypodium glycyrrhiza) – Grows beautifully along wood bases or in moist shade.

3️⃣ Add seasonal interest.
Blend plants that bloom at different times of year — think spring bulbs, summer color, and fall foliage. Your fence line will look beautiful through every season.

4️⃣ Keep it cohesive.
Repeat 3–4 plant types along your fence for a consistent, intentional look. A simple, unified palette always looks naturally balanced and beautiful.

Your Eden Fence Co. panels are built to stand out — and planting around them helps them stand out naturally.

🌲 Handcrafted. Weather-Resistant. Built for the Pacific Northwest.
📍 Learn more at edenfence.com