Hide an Old Fence, Don't Replace It

Fences mark boundary line, keep children and animals in and strangers out. They enclose a pool area and keep young people from going in when they are not supposed to. But fences age and some of them do not age gracefully. They become discolored, dented and metal ones rust. Even the new composite or vinyl fencing is not impervious to some kind of damage.

Take the old reliable chain link fencing. It can rust and get dented. Pick out a vine such as theEnglish Ivy (Hedera helix) , a plant known for its distinctive leaves and is hardy in zones 5 to 9. For those who would like flowers, there is the Red Morning Glory ( Ipomoea coccinea) with bright red flowers that only open in the morning and are hardy in zones 5 to 10.

Split rail fences are shorter, only about 3 feet tall. It brings a relaxed, country feel to a property. People are putting open mesh wire fencing along the split rail in order to keep children and animals where they are supposed to be. Hide the wire with low growing shrubs like the Alba Plena Dwarf Flowering Almond ( Prunus glandulosa 'Alba Plena') that is hardy in zones 4 to 8 and produces white flowers and bright red berries. Another choice is Arnold's Dwarf Border Forsythia (Forsythia x intermedia 'Arnold's Dwarf')with yellow flowers and is for zones 5 to8.

Panel fencing is usually 6 feet tall. Use taller bushes or shrubs such as Glossy Abelia (Abelia x grandiflora), a shrub with white flowers that will grow as tall as 10 and is hardy in zones 6 to 9. Take a look at Alberta Globe White Spruce (Picea glauca 'Alberta Globe'), an evergreen that is hardy in zones 2 to 6 and grows up to 20 feet tall. Shrubs are a good choice here because their thin stems make them easy to trim and keep to the size you want. The Alberta Globe White Spruce will bring a more formal touch than the other varieties.

For fences around the pool, pick a needle or broadleaf evergreen shrub like the Alberta Globe White Spruce or a member of the holly family. The last thing you want near a pool is a plant that is going to loose its leaves and clog up the pool drains, or fall on the deck and get wet and slippery.