Chain link fences are often used as property boundaries because they are inexpensive and easy to set up. However, they are not opaque. This is why many home gardeners come up with the idea of planting on their chain link fence. Below you will find out which plants are suitable for this and what you should pay attention to.
Which plants are suitable for planting a chain link fence?
For planting a chain link fence, climbing plants such as ivy, climbing hydrangea, honeysuckle or spindle bush are suitable for evergreen privacy and wisteria, clematis or climbing roses for flowering accents. Pay attention to site conditions, winter hardiness and growth rate.
Climbing plants for the chain link fence
The most beautiful solution for planting a chain link fence are climbing plants. The advantage of a chain link fence: All types of climbing plants are suitable because it offers support for self-climbing and climbing plants that need help. It is important that the chain link fence is well anchored and stable so that it can support the weight of the climbing plants. If this is not the case, only light and non-woody climbing plants should be used. When choosing, you should consider the following:
- Selection of location: Is your chain link fence in the sun or in the shade?
- Wintergreen: Should the plants on the chain link fence also provide privacy in winter?
- Flowers: Would you like a blooming privacy screen?
- Perenniality and winter hardiness: Choose a hardy, perennial plant so that you can enjoy your planted chain link fence for several years and do not have to replant every year.
- Growth speed: Choose a fast-growing plant if you want the chain link fence to be green quickly.
Evergreen climbing plants for the chain link fence
| Name | Botanical name | Growth rate | Location | Features |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Common Ivy | Hedera helix | 30 – 50 cm per year | Sunny to shady | Very undemanding, invasive |
| Gold Ivy / Yellow Ivy 'Goldheart' | Hedera helix ‘Goldheart’ | 50 to 70cm per year | Sunny to partially shaded | Golden heart in the middle of the leaf |
| Climbing hydrangea 'Semiola' | Hydrangea anomala ‘Semiola’ | 10 to 30cm per year | Sunny to partially shaded | Flowers white from June to August |
| Evergreen honeysuckle / honeysuckle | Lonicera henryi | 30 to 60cm per year | Sun to shade | Must be guided |
| Spindle bush 'Emerald'n Gold' | Euonymus fortunei ‘Emerald’n Gold’ | 10 to 25cm per year | Sunny to shady | Yellowish leaves |
Flowering climbing plants for the chain link fence
Evergreen climbing plants offer a nice privacy screen in winter, but they usually don't bloom so beautifully. If you can do without privacy protection in winter, you can plant one of the following beautifully flowering climbing plants on your chain link fence:
| Name | Botanical name | Flowering time | Flower color | Growth rate | Location |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wisteria | Wisteria sinensis | May to June | Violet to bluish | 120 to 200cm per year | Sunny to partially shaded |
| Clematis ‘Rubens’ | Clematis montana ‘Rubens’ | May to June | Light pink | Sunny to partially shaded | |
| Honeysuckle / Honeysuckle 'Goldflame' | Lonicera heckrottii ‘Goldflame’ | June to September | Reddish to purple on the outside, yellow-white on the inside | 40 to 60 cm per year | Partial shade to shady |
| Climbing roses | Pink | June to September/October | variety dependent | variety dependent | Sunny to partially shaded |
Tip
If your chain link fence is old and frail, consider using tall perennials such as delphiniums, larkspurs or bushes to plant it.
