Perfect Perennial Pairings for Privacy/Fencing
Posted by Annie Algren on Jul 17th 2025
Perfect Perennial Pairings for Privacy/Fencing
Whether you are looking to create a private oasis in your backyard or provide protection from the elements, a well-chosen privacy fence can work wonders. But what if you could take that sense of seclusion to the next level by incorporating perennial plants into your design? The perfect perennial pairings for privacy fencing offer both beauty and functionality, creating additional shelter from the public eye and harsh winds. Whether you're looking to create a natural barrier, add vibrant color, or cultivate a serene retreat, the right combination of perennials can transform your outdoor space into a private sanctuary. Here are some perfect perennial plant pairings that can elevate your privacy fencing.
Arborvitae (Thuja)
Light
Full to Part-Sun (4-6+ hrs)
Attributes
An evergreen conifer shrub with fans of flattened, scale-like, green, occasionally chartreuse or yellow foliage in a tidy upright form
Growth Habit
Upright
Soil Type
Size
10-15’ H x 4-8’ W
Use
Attractive when planted in pairs or groups as a backdrop, windbreak, or a privacy screen. Great for framing buildings or landscapes in foundation plantings
Maintenance
Prune/shear in late winter or early spring. Wrap new plantings in burlap to protect from winter burn
Benefits
Year-round privacy, low maintenance, winter wildlife habitat, prevents erosion
Viburnum
Light
Full Sun to Part Sun (4-6+ hrs)
Attributes
A durable deciduous shrub with dark green summer foliage and vibrant red and yellow fall color
Growth Habit
Dense rounded, upright
Soil Type
Loam
Bloom Color
White
Size
5-10’ H x 5-10’ W
Bloom Time
Late Spring to Early Summer
Use
Perfect for massing as a hedge, background planting, or privacy screen. Great for foundation plantings and woodland gardens
Maintenance
Prune lightly after flowering to maintain shape and remove any dead or damaged branches
Benefits
Deer and rabbit resistant, salt tolerant, attracts pollinators, winter food source for wildlife
Switchgrass (Panicum)
Light
Full Sun to Part Sun (4-6+ hrs)
Attributes
A colorful MN native grass with blue-green foliage that darkens to a rich burgundy throughout the summer, and airy flower panicles that give way to seed heads
Growth Habit
Upright
Soil Type
Loam, Sand, Clay
Size
48-60” H x 36-48” W
Use
Great multi-season interest. Excellent in sunny borders or massed in background plantings and pollinator gardens
Maintenance
Cut back to 4 in above ground in late winter or early spring before new growth emerges
Benefits
Deer and rabbit resistant, drought, salt, and black walnut tolerant, attracts pollinators, prevents erosion, winter interest
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