So a friend Cait sent me an interesting link on Facebook the other day. It was about having live fences – plants that can be used as natural barriers. Many will plant along a fence line, but perhaps planting as a fence line should be considered?
I loved this idea when I saw it in action in Ireland at the National Stud but haven’t given it a lot of thought since then, or even considered it’s benefits. To me, it had appeal because:
- of the look (who doesn’t like green?)
- the fact that it is a sturdy wind break
- and is highly visible
There are a lot of other benefits to having living fences however. I’ve been entertaining the idea of tagasaste hedges on my future property in between fence lines, but am now wondering if this in itself can be the fence. Obviously growing plants can take time, they can die off and they can appeal to the tastebuds of the inhabitants of the paddock!
However, they can help out with the local eco system if indigenous plants are used, they may be more cost effective and can be regenerated through growing from seeds.
“Set your sights after the last fence.” – author unknown