Low living fences enable you to define property boundaries or produce a barrier without blocking the view of the natural landscape. Pick plants that don’t require much maintenance and also that develop less than 4 feet tall. When selecting plants for the living fence, consider the area the plants will grow in. Full sun plants require six to eight hours of sunlight every day and can perform badly in shaded locations.

Sunny Areas

You have many options for plants for low elevation living fences in bright regions of your lawn. Several cultivars of the frequent hedge tree arborvitae (Thuja spp.) Are dwarf and can develop as a living fence. Mr. Bowling Ball arborvitae (Thuja occidentalis “Bobozam”) along with “Little Giant” dwarf arborvitae (Thuja occidentalis “Little Giant”), for example, grow in full sunlight in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 3 through 8 and can be applied as a brief fence. Mr. Bowling Ball will grow to just about 30 inches tall, while “Little Giant” reaches 4 feet.

Shaded Areas

A few low-growing boxwood (Buxus spp.) Cultivars prosper in partially shaded locations and can produce a living fence. “Apple Green” boxwood (Buxus microphylla “Apple Green”) and also “Morris Midget” Japanese boxwood (Buxus microphylla var. Japonica “Morris Midget”) are just two such cultivars. “Apple Green” grows in USDA zones 6 through 9, reaching about 2 feet tall. “Morris Midget” grows in USDA zones 5 through 9 and typically will not grow taller than 12 inches. The two “Apple Green” and “Morris Midget” are broadleaf evergreen shrubs resistant to deer and rabbits. Himalayan sweet box (Sarcococca hookeriana var. Humilis) is another option for a low-growing fence in partial shade. This evergreen tree grows in USDA zones 6 through 9, making shiny leaves on a compact plant which grows to only about 18 inches tall.

Flowering Shrubs

Low-growing flowering shrubs can produce boundaries and create attractive blooms that entice butterflies and mammals to see. Dwarf coral hedge barberry (Berberis x stenophylla “Corallina Compacta”) is one tree growing in USDA zones 5 through 10. This sun-loving, compact evergreen will grow to just about 3 1/2 feet tall and also grows yellowish-orange blossoms in the summer. “Little Red” oleander (Nerium oleander “Little Red”) is slightly taller, reaching heights between 3 and 6 feet tall, but you can prune it to remain short. “Little Red” grows in USDA zones 8 through 11 in full sunlight or partial shade. It’s drought-tolerant and creates deep red blossoms in summer. All parts of “Little Red” are toxic if ingested.

Edible Shrubs

Low-growing, edible shrubs serve dual duty as a living fence which supplies you will fruit. Dwarf bush cherry (Eugenia myrtifolia “Globulus”) and Teenie Genie miniature bush cherry (Eugenia myrtifolia “Nanum”) are just two shrubs reaching about 4 feet tall in USDA zones 9 through 11. These botanical plants produce white flowers that provide way to creamy fruit. Both the dwarf bush cherry and Teenie Genie grow in full sunlight to partial shade and can be pruned to the desired height. “Crandall” clove currant (Ribes odoratum “Crandall”) is another option for a living fence. This deciduous tree grows in USDA zones 4 through 8 in full sunlight or partial shade. It grows between 7 and 3 feet tall but can be pruned shorter. “Crandall” creates fruit which resemble blackcurrants, just slightly smaller. You’ll want both male and female plants for this particular hedge plant to produce fruit.

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