Out with the old, plain fence on your property, and in with the living, climbing vine look. A vine fence can take the exterior of your home up a green-living notch, making your home the model house on the block.

Types to consider:

First, there’s a matter of deciding whether you want the vine to be annual or perennial. One type that’s only around for one season would be considered something of the floral variety, as they turn brown as the weather gets colder. Picking the wrong vine for your fence can result in more destruction than beauty. Avoid English ivy and hydrangea, which can quickly grow into a weedy, tangled mess. These types of vines can also make your fence too heavy to withstand the weight of them. For wooden fences, opt for non-woody vines, like morning glory, sweet pea, and moonflower.

Vines that thrive with vinyl fences include a wider range, as the material is more durable. Algae doesn’t affect vinyl fences as it might with wood, so most types are safe with this type of fencing. You can also choose the type of vine based off of whether you want it to be scented or not. Wisteria is a vine that not only looks like spring, but has a floral scent to match. For homes with aluminum fencing, this would be an ideal option, as would other types, such as grapevine.

Tips for maintaining:

• Try not to overwhelm your fence with vines, as they can grow rapidly and get out of hand.
• Maintaining them is important to keeping the fence looking in top shape. The biggest factor in keeping your vines looking pristine is water, except if it’s the type of vine that’s meant to stay dry.
• Depending on the type, your vines may also need to be fertilized.
• Vines are typically fast growing, so pruning them is necessary if they’re to remain healthy.