Cape Cod Landscaping: Creating a Living Fence

Everyone knows that good fences make good neighbors. But to establish privacy around your Cape Cod home, whether you’re looking to close off your yard from the street or keep Mr. and Mrs. Next Door at a comfortable distance, you don’t necessarily need a traditional fence. The same effect can be achieved with a “living fence,” with the added benefit of freshening up your outdoor space.

Here are some natural materials you can use to create an organized yet organic look for your Cape Cod landscaping:

Ornamental Grasses

Ornamental grasses can be used to lend a breezy, beachy vibe to your Cape Cod home. Using beach grass to line hardscaping elements, border a dedicated garden, or soften the look of a driveway will give your home a classic seaside vibe, even if it’s not right on the beach. You can really tailor the look of this natural fencing to your liking, as there’s plenty of variety: needle grass, pampas grass, and fescues are just a few of the options for this living fence method.

Arborvitae

Looking for something a little bolder than grass? Look no further than arborvitae—those lean, stately trees that are perfect for lining a long driveway or establishing the bounds of a sprawling yard. Juniper trees have a similar imposing structure—perfect for creating much-needed privacy in a busy neighborhood. Don’t worry: you can always soften the look of arborvitae by placing flowering shrubs in front of the trees. And if you’re looking for a romantic feel to shake up your natural fencing, a trellis with climbing roses or hydrangeas will do the trick.

Lilacs

Lilac bushes are just right if you shy away from trees and shrubbery with a structured look. Left unpruned, which lilacs should be, they’ll adopt a freeform look, and you can’t beat that color (or the sweet scent!). Lilacs make a lovely addition to any Cape Cod landscape. For something just as striking that is a bit more opaque, go for forsythia. Their lovely yellow blooms in early spring will morph into a season’s worth of leafy coverage for privacy.

Rhododendrons

Another classic Cape option, rhododendrons are the perfect combination of woody and floral. With a variety of striking color options, these plants can truly work with any existing landscaping, so rhodies are a no-brainer when it comes to a Cape Cod home. They also retain their leaves year-round for 12 months of privacy.

Boxwood

Boxwood shrubs come in many varieties, so there are many visual options here for creating ornamental borders around your landscaping. Boxwoods are known for their deep green leaves and round, compact look, so if you’re all about clean lines, boxwoods are just perfect for your landscape.

PSA: some boxwoods reported to have an unpleasant odor, with the English boxwood being most often complained about. So follow your heart, but we advise that you sniff before you buy. Don’t say we didn’t warn you.

Ready to get started on some eye-catching living fencing for your Cape Cod home? We’re here to make it happen. Get in touch today!