For many hobby gardeners, a pretty enclosure is simply part of the design of the green space. After all, it is only through a fence or hedge that the green becomes a private place that excludes public life. Which variant you choose is up to your personal taste, but also depends somewhat on local conditions.
Should I choose a fence or hedge for my garden?
There are differences between a garden fence and a hedge: fences offer good protection and are easy to maintain, but they provide less natural privacy. Hedges blend in harmoniously and offer better privacy, but require more care and space. The decision depends on personal preferences and local conditions.
The garden fence
Despite the fact that a fence perfectly borders the garden, it does not make it visually smaller. Beds that are located directly on the fence receive enough sun so that the plants and fence merge into an attractive unit. Depending on the material, a garden fence also proves to be very easy to care for.
Where there is shadow, there is light – this also applies to the garden fence. In the following table we have compared the advantages and disadvantages of this property boundary:
| Advantages | Disadvantages |
|---|---|
| Good protection depending on the height. | Offers direct privacy protection only if additional elements are attached. |
| Does not visually reduce the size of the garden. | Depending on the variant, a fence can appear bulky, squat and very sterile. |
| Plants planted near the fence receive sufficient light. | Building regulations may have to be observed. |
| Easy to set up. | Quite expensive depending on the version. |
| Easy to care for, depending on the material. | This does not apply to wooden fences that require regular painting. |
The advantages and disadvantages of hedges
Hedges blend wonderfully into the green of the garden and provide a protected habitat for numerous animals. However, they require a lot of care to last long and are quite expensive to set up unless you are able to grow the bushes yourself.
The benefits of a hedge:
- Attractive, green boundary that can even keep burglars away.
- Can be adjusted in height even after years.
- Perfect wind and privacy protection.
- On hot days it is wonderfully cool in the shade of the bushes.
- Easy to invest, even on large properties.
- Cheaper than a fence depending on the plants you choose.
The disadvantages of green fencing:
- Must be trimmed at least once a year.
- In hot summers, you need to water the bushes regularly.
- If the hedge is not well cared for, it can become bare and look unsightly.
- Not every location is suitable.
- Evergreen shrubs may block a lot of light in winter.
- Some plants are poisonous. If children play in the garden, you should choose hedge plants carefully.
Tip
A green fence can seem restrictive, especially on small properties. However, there are numerous hedge plants that work well even in confined spaces and give it a beautiful setting.
