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!
