Do’s and Don’ts of Fence Vines April 24, 2024 Comments: 0
Fence vines, especially the flowering variety, can be a stunning addition to your landscape. They are not only aesthetically pleasing, but they provide an extra level of privacy. Unfortunately, if you are not careful, fence vines can be as damaging as they are beautiful.
Choosing the right kind of vine, along with proper fence maintenance, will help keep your Pittsburgh fence a lasting and charming addition to your property. Before you consider adding vines to your backyard fence, Pittsburgh Fence Company suggests you consider the followings do’s and don’ts.
Do’s of Growing Fence Vines
- Research Vine Varieties – Not all vines work well with all fences. There are varieties that are friendlier, and less damaging, to certain types of fence materials. Annual, non-woody vines are best for wooden fences. Plants, such as morning glory and sweet pea, are airier and trap less moisture against your wooden fence, resulting in less damage. Perennial vines, such as coral honeysuckle or clematis, are fast-growing climbing vines that grow readily on vinyl fences.
- Make Sure Your Fence Material Will Withstand the Living Addition –There are certain fence materials that fare better with climbing vines than others. Due to their durability, aluminum and vinyl fences last longer and respond better than wooden fences. The open-lattice framework of aluminum fences provides an excellent environment for climbing and flowering vines, such as wisteria and hydrangea. Within a few seasons, your living addition will provide much beauty, aroma and privacy to your backyard.
- Understand the Needs of Your Living Fence – To ensure your chosen vines reach their fullest potential, it is important to familiarize yourself with their needs in regards to sunlight, space and soil. Understanding the needs will enable to your living fence to remain a beautiful addition as opposed to an overgrown, poorly cared for pile of vegetation.
- Inspect Your Fence Regularly – Vines are an aesthetically pleasing addition to any fence, but you also need to be aware of what may be lurking underneath. A regular inspection of your fence structure can prevent larger problems down the road. Whereas aluminum fences can withstand moisture and resist rust, a vinyl fence is more susceptible to moisture which can be damaging if not taken care of immediately.
- Consult a Professional Fence Company – If you are in the process of choosing a fence for your Pittsburgh property and plan to add fence vines, consult a professional, like Pittsburgh Fence Co., Inc. to ensure that your fence installation will be a long-lasting investment.
Dont’s of Growing Fence Vines
- Avoid Woody Vines – For a variety of reasons, woody vines can be problematic for many fence types, especially wooden fences. Although beautiful, these vines trap excess moisture against the fence’s surface, resulting in fungus and bugs. Left uncared for, this can deteriorate your fence. Additionally, the wooden roots of these hearty vines can wreak havoc if they begin to grow between the slats causing breakage.
- Avoid Unknown Vine Varieties – Although it may be tempting, avoid picking unknown varieties from wooded areas and introducing them to your newly installed fence. Naturally occurring vines can be invasive species that will not only take over your fence, but your property and beloved plants as well. Some of these invasive species include chocolate vine, English ivy and Japanese honeysuckle. It is best to visit a nursery when choosing your fence vines.
- Don’t Overlook Fence Maintenance – Once you have introduced your Pittsburgh fence to a climbing vine, it is important that you don’t overlook fence maintenance. Whether you are having an unusually wet season or an invasive species has overtaken your fence, it is crucial that you react immediately. Uncontrollable woody vines or bug invested areas can bring down a once sturdy and beautiful fence.
Pittsburgh Fence Co, Inc. located in Carnegie, PA, offers a wide selection of fence materials and designs, suitable for the addition of climbing fence vines. Serving the Pittsburgh area for over 50 years, Pittsburgh Fence Co, Inc. will help you choose the best option for your investment while providing the most effective fencing. Contact one of our four offices today to speak with a team member:
North: 412-276-4822
South: 724-228-9755
East: 412-784-1400
West: 724-775-6550
