Options for Hiding Ugly Chain Link Fencing

Privacy Fence

• Use wood or vinyl privacy fence panels to obscure the view of your chain-link. You can use the privacy fence in areas that need cosmetic work, and avoid running new fence through areas where trees and shrubs have grown up around the chain-link. Place the panels on the side facing your home to hide the view of the chain-link from your home or yard, or place the panels outside the chain-link if you want to block the view of the chain-link from a neighbor or public area.

Shrubs

• Shrubs in front, behind or on both sides of your chain-link fence can provide an attractive barrier, and will keep most trespassers off your lawn. Shrubs may take years to completely cover your fence, depending on the height of the fence, the speed of the shrubs' growth and how large the shrubs are when you transplant them.

Climbing Vines

• Fast-growing vines not only provide a reasonably quick disguise to your fence, they have decorative value. Fast-growing vines include Boston ivy, which grows well in partial shade and offers fall color, and honeysuckle, which provides fragrant blooms and attracts hummingbirds. Climbing fig and English ivy are evergreen vines with interesting variations in foliage shape. Hyacinth bean grows up to 20 feet in a season and develops flowers, bean pods and colorful foliage.

Flowerbeds

• Create a flowerbed or wide flower border around your fence. While even several layers of flowering plants may not completely obscure your fence, they will present a visual distraction, pulling the eye away from the fence. Mounded beds can add height for greater impact and coverage. Begin with the fence sections that are the most unappealing to you or that will make the most difference toward improving the appearance of your property, such as along the front yard or driveway.