Should I Let Vines Grow on My Fence?

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Thick vines growing around your fence is a beautiful feature for your backyard. It makes your yard feel private and secluded, gives it a more natural look, and adds some rustic charm.

However, vines can be a destructive force that quickly ruins your investment. They’re resourceful and climb to soak up the sunshine, sometimes damaging your fence in the process.

If you’re set on giving your backyard an old country feel with creeping vines, not all hope is lost! There are ways to add climbing vines to your backyard without making your fence pay the price.

“Growing vines beautifies your yard space and makes your home feel like a secluded oasis.”

Concerns with Letting Vines Grow on Your Fence

There are many ways vines can damage your fence. Depending on the species, some climbing vines have claws that cling and work themselves into the wooden boards, ruining your fence. Others may wrap, twine, or sprawl over a fence, quicky growing out of control and causing breakage.

In some cases, the vines can get so heavy that compromise the structural integrity of your fence. Instead of a few repairs, you’ll need to replace the whole thing.

But however a vine attaches itself to your fence, it adds a lot of humidity that can promote rot and mildew. Over time, you’ll end up with many more fence repairs than you should. This makes the wood soft as well, so it’s easier for the vines to find their way into the slats.

Another concern is invasive vine species. This isn’t just a concern for your fence, but for your entire yard. Many of these vines are introduced because they look nice, but they grow rapidly, overtake the native plants, and disrupt the ecosystem. Some may even pose a risk to humans or pets, along with your fence.

Some of the invasive vine species in Texas include:

• Japanese honeysuckle (Lonicera japonica)
• Chinese wisteria (Wisteria sinensis)
• English ivy (Hedera helix)
• Star jasmine (Trachelospermum jasminoides)

How to Grow Vines on Your Fence Safely

The risks to wooden fences don’t mean you have to forgo vines in your backyard completely. Here are some ways to grow vines in your fence safely:

Use an Arbor or Trellis

If you think climbing vines are the perfect addition to your backyard, they don’t have to just be on your fence. You can introduce climbing vines to the space with arbors and trellises that offer the ideal structure for flowering vines to cling and grow. Available in wood, vinyl, or metal, the structure is strong enough to hold the grip of the plant while also limiting its growth.

Another option is to set a trellis or arbor near your fence to add more privacy without getting close enough to damage the fence. There are numerous options for sizes and designs that will look great with your existing décor.

Choose Fence-Friendly Vines

Some vine species are more damaging than others. Your local nursery should be able to help you find native vines that are a good choice for your local climate. Vines can take over a garden in no time, so make sure to discuss the specifics of your garden and what look you’re going for with the vines.

You should also research the plant’s needs. Each vine species will have different requirements for sunlight, space, and soil, plus different growing speeds and cover. Some may take several growing seasons before they cover a lot of space and have blooms. All of these things are important to consider so that you’re satisfied with your garden.

There are plenty of native vines to try out in Austin, including:

• Crossvine (Bignonia capreolata)
• Coral honeysuckle (Lonicera sempervirens)
• Passionvine (Passiflora incarnata)
• Woolly Dutchman’s pipevine (Aristolochia tomentosa)
• Pearl Milkweed vine (Matelea reticulata)
• Carolina Jessmine (Gelsemium sempervirens)
• Trumpet creeper (Campsis radicans)

Opt for Chain-Link Fencing

If you like the look of vines growing on your fence year-round, your best option is to choose a chain-link fence. This type of fencing can handle the strain of vines and the extra moisture much better than a wooden fence, especially when it comes from a quality chain-link fence installer in Austin.

Chain-link fencing doesn’t have the same privacy or aesthetic appeal as a wooden fence, of course. Fortunately, fast-growing vines with thick cover can completely obscure your chain-link fence, giving you the look you want with some added privacy.

Create the Backyard of Your Dreams

Growing vines beautifies your yard space and makes your home feel like a secluded oasis. Whether you want advice to plant vines around fencing or you’re looking to install new fencing in Austin, Northwest Fence & Iron can help. As a premier fence installer in Austin, we offer plenty of options for residential and commercial fencing to suit your needs. Contact us today to learn more about our fencing services!