When I first started experimenting with landscaping, my fence line was the one area that always felt… unfinished. The fence itself did its job for privacy, but it looked a little bare and flat. That’s when I realized fence lines are the perfect blank canvas for creating a lush, layered garden look. With the right plants, you can soften those hard edges, bring in color, and even add year-round interest.
In this post, I’m sharing 18 of the best plants for fence lines — from flowering shrubs and climbing vines to evergreen hedges and ornamental grasses. These aren’t just pretty picks, either; many of them are low-maintenance, pet-friendly, and practical. Think of this as your go-to guide for transforming your plain fence into a gorgeous backdrop that frames your entire yard.
Whether you love cottage garden charm, modern clean lines, or something wild and natural, you’ll find an idea here that sparks inspiration.
1. Climbing Roses – The Romantic Classic
There’s something undeniably magical about a fence covered in roses. I planted my first climbing rose a few summers ago, and within a season, the canes started weaving their way up the fence panels, bursting with soft pink blooms. They instantly turned that plain stretch of wood into a living wall of color and fragrance.
Climbing roses thrive when they have support, so tie young canes gently against the fence as they grow. They’ll reward you with abundant blooms in late spring and summer, plus that classic rose scent everyone loves. I find they do best in full sun and appreciate a deep watering once a week during hot spells.
If you’re dreaming of a traditional, romantic look, this is the plant to go for. Just be ready for a little pruning each season — it’s worth every minute when you see your fence dripping in roses.
2. Hydrangeas – Big Blooms, Big Impact
Hydrangeas are one of my go-to plants for fence lines because they instantly bring drama and fullness. Their massive, ball-shaped flowers can make a plain fence look like a curated garden display. I’ve grown both pink and blue varieties depending on soil acidity, and honestly, both are stunning.
The best part about hydrangeas is how forgiving they are. Even if you forget to water them a couple of times, they bounce back quickly. They do best in part shade, so if your fence is shaded by trees, they’ll feel right at home. I love pairing hydrangeas with smaller perennials at the base to create a layered look.
These shrubs are also excellent for cutting and bringing indoors, which means your garden can double as a floral supply for your dining table.
3. Boxwood Hedges – Neat & Evergreen
If you want your fence to look polished all year, you can’t go wrong with boxwood. These dense evergreen shrubs are perfect for creating a neat hedge right up against the fence. I use them in my own yard as a living “frame” that stays green even in winter.
Boxwoods are low-maintenance and easy to shape, so you can keep them trimmed into tidy squares or let them grow more naturally. They thrive in sun to partial shade and don’t need much fussing over once established.
Pairing boxwoods with taller flowering plants behind them gives your fence line both structure and color. Think of them as the “foundation” that makes everything else pop.
4. Clematis Vines – Pops of Color
When I first tried clematis, I was amazed by how quickly it transformed my fence. Within one season, those delicate vines stretched high, covering panels with star-like flowers in shades of purple, pink, and white.
Clematis vines are incredibly versatile. You can mix early- and late-blooming varieties for color that lasts from spring into fall. They do best with “cool feet, warm head” — meaning the roots like to be shaded (mulch works great), while the top craves sunlight.
I find clematis pairs beautifully with climbing roses, creating a layered tapestry of blooms. If your fence looks flat, clematis is the perfect way to add texture and dimension.
5. Lavender – Fragrance & Pollinator Friendly
Lavender is one of those plants that makes you smile every time you walk past it. I planted a row along my fence a few years ago, and the fragrance alone was worth it. The purple spikes also attract bees and butterflies, making your garden come alive.
This plant loves full sun and well-drained soil. Once established, it’s incredibly drought-tolerant — perfect if you don’t want a high-maintenance garden. Plus, you can dry the flowers for sachets or homemade decor.
The soft purple against a wooden or white-painted fence looks stunning, especially when paired with other Mediterranean-style plants like rosemary.
6. Ornamental Grasses – Movement & Texture
If you’ve never planted ornamental grasses along a fence, trust me — they’re game changers. I love how they sway in the wind, catching the light and adding instant texture. Miscanthus, feather reed grass, and fountain grass are some of my favorites.
These grasses require very little care and look great year-round. In winter, their golden seed heads stand tall and bring warmth to an otherwise bare garden. Come spring, just cut them back, and they’ll grow fresh and full again.
I especially like mixing grasses with perennials like coneflowers or black-eyed Susans for a natural prairie-inspired look.
7. Jasmine – Sweet-Scented Fence Cover
There’s nothing like walking into your backyard and being greeted by the scent of jasmine. I planted star jasmine along my back fence, and within two summers, it created a wall of glossy green leaves and delicate white blooms.
Jasmine thrives in full sun and needs something to climb, making it ideal for fence lines. It’s evergreen in many climates, so you’ll have greenery even when it’s not blooming.
If you love hosting outdoor dinners, jasmine makes your yard feel like a private retreat with its fragrance filling the evening air.
8. Hollyhocks – Tall & Cheerful
Hollyhocks are a cottage garden staple, and they’re perfect for fence lines because of their height. These tall spires can reach up to eight feet, making them look like they’re waving over the top of the fence.
I love mixing colors like deep burgundy, pale pink, and sunny yellow to create a cheerful backdrop. Hollyhocks are biennials, so they bloom every other year, but once you have them, they often reseed themselves and keep coming back.
They do best in full sun and are fairly low-maintenance once established. Pair them with shorter perennials at the front of the fence for that layered English-garden effect.
9. Bamboo – Fast-Growing Privacy Screen
Bamboo gets a bad rap sometimes, but hear me out — if you choose clumping varieties (not running ones), it’s a fantastic fence line plant. In my yard, bamboo created a lush green screen within just two years.
It’s especially useful if you need extra privacy or want to block noise. The tall canes and rustling leaves give a peaceful, zen-like feel. Just make sure you stick to clumping bamboo unless you want it to take over.
Bamboo works beautifully in modern or Asian-inspired garden designs, adding structure and elegance.
10. Honeysuckle – Colorful & Fragrant
Honeysuckle is one of those plants that never fails to impress. I added it to my back fence a while ago, and not only does it smell divine, but the flowers also attract hummingbirds nonstop.
It grows quickly and thrives in full sun, making it perfect for covering long stretches of fence. The red, yellow, and pink flowers add vibrant pops of color all summer.
Honeysuckle is also low-maintenance — just give it something to climb and prune it lightly each year. It’s a plant that rewards you generously for very little effort.
11. Butterfly Bush – Pollinator Magnet
If you love wildlife, butterfly bush is a must-have for your fence line. The long, cone-shaped blooms come in purples, pinks, and whites — and they’re absolute magnets for butterflies.
I have one near my back fence, and it’s a constant show of fluttering wings all summer. These shrubs can grow tall, so they also add height and privacy.
They’re drought-tolerant, low-maintenance, and bloom from midsummer into fall, keeping your garden alive with color even when other plants fade.
12. Lilacs – Springtime Perfume
Lilacs are the kind of plant that makes neighbors stop and comment. Their fragrant clusters of purple or white flowers are like a springtime celebration.
They thrive in full sun and grow into large shrubs, making them perfect for filling in a long fence line. Once established, they’re tough and don’t need much care.
I love cutting lilac branches to bring inside — they make the whole house smell amazing. The only “downside” is they bloom for just a few weeks, but trust me, those weeks are magical.
13. Wisteria – Cascading Elegance
Wisteria is not for the faint of heart — it’s vigorous and fast-growing — but when it blooms, it’s breathtaking. The long, cascading clusters of purple flowers look like something out of a fairytale.
I planted mine along a strong fence with sturdy supports, because wisteria vines are heavy. But the payoff is worth it when the fence turns into a waterfall of blossoms in spring.
Just keep it well-pruned and under control, and you’ll have one of the most stunning fence lines in the neighborhood.
14. Forsythia – Early Spring Sunshine
Forsythia is one of the first plants to bloom in spring, and those bright yellow flowers are like a burst of sunshine after a long winter.
Planted along a fence, they create a cheerful backdrop that wakes up your garden. These shrubs grow quickly and are low-maintenance, making them great for beginners.
They look especially pretty when paired with daffodils or tulips at their base for a layered spring display.
15. Viburnum – All-Season Beauty
Viburnum is one of my favorite all-season plants for fence lines. In spring, you get clusters of white flowers. In summer, berries appear. In fall, the foliage turns deep red. It’s like three seasons of interest in one plant.
They’re hardy, easy to grow, and come in both evergreen and deciduous types. Viburnum shrubs also attract birds, which adds another layer of life to your yard.
If you want something that looks good all year, viburnum is an excellent choice.
16. Knock Out Roses – Low-Maintenance Blooms
Not everyone has the time or patience for high-maintenance roses — and that’s where Knock Out roses shine. These shrubs bloom continuously from spring to frost and require almost no care.
I planted a few along my side fence, and they’ve been reliable bloomers year after year. Just a little pruning in spring, and they bounce right back.
Their vibrant colors make your fence line pop without the fuss of traditional rose varieties.
17. Hostas – Shade-Loving Fence Line Filler
If your fence line sits in shade most of the day, hostas are lifesavers. Their large, textured leaves come in so many patterns — deep green, variegated, even bluish tones.
I have them planted under a tree near my fence, and they fill the space beautifully without needing much attention. Hostas love moisture and shade, so they’re perfect for those tricky spots.
Pair them with ferns or astilbes for a lush, woodland-inspired fence line.
18. Evergreens – Year-Round Structure
Sometimes you just want a reliable, green backdrop all year long. Planting evergreens like arborvitae or Italian cypress along your fence creates an instant privacy wall.
They grow tall and dense, making them great for blocking views and noise. Plus, they look elegant whether you pair them with flowers or leave them standing alone.
I especially like using them in corners or along property lines to anchor the garden. They’re the kind of plant that makes everything else in your yard look more intentional.
✨ Extra Inspiration: If you’re planning a complete backyard refresh, you might also enjoy my post on Outdoor BBQ Kitchen Ideas for entertaining spaces, or check out the Best Perennial Plants for Borders to layer your fence line beautifully.