Perfect Perennial Pairings for Privacy/Fencing
Posted by Annie Algren on Jul 26th 2026
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 simple 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?
These perfect perennial pairings for privacy fencing offer both function and beauty. If 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.
Arborvitae (Thuja)
Light
Full to Part-Sun (4-6+ hours)
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
Loam
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 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 to Part Sun (4-6+ hrs)
Attributes
A colorful Minnesota native grass with blue-green foliage that darkens to a rich burgundy throughout the Summer. Airy flower panicles give way to seed heads.
Growth Habit
Upright
Soil Type
Loam, Sand, Clay
Size
4-5' H x 3-4' W
Use
Great multi-season interest. Excellent in sunny borders or massed in background plantings and pollinator gardens
Maintenance
Cut back to 4" 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, provides Winter interest
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