For 2023 I am working toward a plan to create both a privacy fence and critter deterrent in my backyard. I am not a fan of structural fences, and have installed and then removed the same fence several times over the years. My goal from using a fence is to provide a backdrop for my gardens that go around the border of the yard. Although fences in the past do not completely keep the critters out it does deter them. Lastly, during our 2022 drought, a path was worn across my backyard from the neighbors, and their kids walking across the yard and riding their bikes down the hills in the back. My goal is to address these issues without putting up a fence but create a fence with plants.

My thoughts have been to use climbing or large shrub roses, clematis, elderberry, a few vegetable vines, and then maybe run a few fruit trees horizontally along supports. I was tempted to run grape vines but the Japanese beetles love them and would like to keep their numbers down. I am looking at a total of 300' of greenery. I have about 100' covered already. Another idea was to create mounded gardens here and there to break things up. I am not very good at landscaping design and rely on trial and error, which can be a lot of extra work.

I was wondering if anyone else has put together a living fence, or if anyone has ideas, or zone 4a plant suggestions. It would be greatly appreciated!

Roses love sun so they would be perfect if the area is sunny. Also would be perfect for the higher traffic areas to deflect traffic because of the thorns. No one wants to get tangled in thorns so that would also help keep people out.

Clematis like shady feet but some varieties get hit with a certain bug after blooming season and will die off for the season. Might look into resistant varieties.

Elderberry, veggies and fruit trees a good idea as well. The veggies would be seasonal though so unless you keep a fence up year round you will have an open spot.

All in all your idea is pretty sound.

Thanks pepper. I love clematis but haven't had much luck with them. That doesn't mean I quit trying What did you mean by 'shady feet'? I have heard to plant them in the east for morning sun but I have a neighbor whose clematis is in pretty much full sun down by their mailbox. With the snow on the ground I can see several heavy deer trails coming to the yard. I think I will put up a structure in those spots but I imagine they will just walk around. I have motion activated sprinklers that I use at night when it is not freezing. During the winter they eat my blueberries, elderberry and chokeberry down to 6" so those are always needing to grow back. I don't know if I need to run some sort of wire along the back of the property to discourage them and then use the wire to secure a few trellises. Deer are pretty but a pain when they wreak havoc on the garden. Thanks for the input. Let me know if you have any other thoughts. Much appreciated!

Shady feet means they want shade at their base and grow towards the sun. So the bottom half would be shaded by plants or something then the part that has all the flowers on it would be in the sun.

Creating a privacy fence is possible with plants, shrubs, and trees, but it will not keep out all the critters. In nature even the rabbits use the briars and brambles to escape predators.

I would plant fast growing trees, and underneath some climbers such as Chinese Wisterea. Wisterea is the fastest growing vining plant that I know of. Trumpet Vine is another one and honeysuckle.

Click here for a good site for what grows in your zone and cold hardiness. The shrub list is pretty good. https://www.gardeningknowhow.c...

Hemlock is listed and Barberry. Who would want to get tangled up in some Barberry? Cherry Laurel is a tree that puts out hundreds of seeds per year and you would have a forest of those for the birds to nest in and shade to plant an understory such as Azaleas.

I have been trying to establish a privacy fence of trees and shrubs around our property for almost 6 years now, and I can tell you that it takes time and lots of sweat equity. I have been fortunate to have friends that have gifted me many different plants that someday will make a wonderful privacy fence out front where the sun is intense and only the toughest drought tolerant plants will thrive. On top of that we have been in many drought periods and we have no irrigation. I sympathize with you on your issues and hope you can achieve your goals.

I would contact your local county extension office. They are very helpful and knowledgeable about what grows in your zone and can give you free help, advice, and pointers for establishing your privacy fence. Good luck to you @MNdigger.

@slowcala Thanks for your input and the link. I would love to pick up wisteria. So far I busted sod, prepped and planted a rose garden on one side of the yard. Several rose climbers in there along with baptisia, Pacific delphinium and filipendula venusta(?). I am putting in a few fruit trees (Superior and Alderman plum, along with a Contender peach. Ultimately this may be counter intuitive as the kids love fruit trees. The neighbor girl was dressed as a fairy princess today and was dancing around my gardens. Cute. Glad she felt inspired. I am hoping to score a few rhododendrons for one side of the yard. Cucumbers and green beans will climb along the back garden. I tried mixing up Plantskyd the other day. Man, was that gross but after spraying plants the rabbits and deer have steered clear so I am hopeful about that. It is a lot of work in general but will be nice once things are falling into place.

Sounds like you've been as busy as a bee! 🐝. Years from now you'll remember that little girl dancing in your garden and smile.

Do you have access to a garden club, or a group of gardeners in your neighborhood? I have recently met 2 new gardeners in my neighborhood, and they have gifted me all kinds of plants and flowers. Gardeners always want to share their bounty. You could have the 'Hanging Gardens of Babylon' in no time. Just sayin'. This year I've added 19 new plants to my garden, and they all came to me from friends, except for one that was planted by a bird, (Lantana 'Confetti').

I encourage you to check out my blog on this site. Yesterday I posted many pictures of one of my newest friend's gardens. I took 43 photos within a brief period, and I will go back and capture some more of that beauty during the different seasons.

Enjoy your new gardens and take time to sit in it along the way and listen to the wonderful sounds of nature. If you have a Smartphone you can download a free ap called Merlin. It records bird calls and identifies the bird. I just learned about Merlin yesterday.

Peace & Plenty.

Remember multiflora rose?
Some things work very well as hedge rows, but don't stay put.

Like that chinese wisteria... One terrific invasive... I wish the nurseries would stop carrying these invasives...

Another one we have down here is thorny eleagnus. It's real pretty, and real invasive.

I kind of like the hardy orange... I've been planting rambling roses like the Cherokee rose... which is another one that requires watching...

Up in Minnesota, maybe you could grow some osage orange... Hardy to zone 4.
I plant a lot of it.

It used to be planted everywhere because it made such good fencing!

Privacy fences from plants was done through out time, and shouldn't be too difficult to accomplish...

I don't live in Minnesota where it's cold... And can't remember the plants that tolerate your climate.

Maybe you could get better advice on the Northern Garden forum.
https://garden.org/forums/view...

Quick , Dense hedge along the street made from Fishtail palms from Home depot in Sarasota