Traditional fences certainly have their place. But if you want to frame a property, block out the neighbors or create cozy backyard rooms, defining outdoor living experiences with plants is your best bet.
Using trees and shrubs as natural fencing marks property lines. They also block the wind, muffle street noise, define rooms and bring soft, living texture to the landscape.
Red Pillar Rose of Sharon (Hibiscus syriacus ‘GFNHSRP’)
You don’t need a large property to make this work, either. If your landscape has narrow spaces or your home sits on a tight suburban or urban lot, incorporate plants with upright, slender habits.
Red Pillar Rose of Sharon is an ideal selection for tight spaces because it grows straight up. It requires very little lawn space and adds floral interest with bright summer blooms. Plant this shrub tightly in a row or in a horseshoe shape to create walls for a private dining alcove or a hidden garden nook.
Soft Serve® Gold False Cypress (Chamaecyparis pisifera)
Close to the house, foundation planting should do more than just conceal concrete. It should frame the home and soften its sharper edges.
Soft Serve® Gold False Cypress is an ideal selection because it has a neat, natural pyramid shape that stays tidy without constant trimming. It also has a bright gold color that instantly pops against dark architectural shadows. This pyramidal evergreen acts as a year-round privacy screen to block views of private seating areas.
Merlot Redbud (Cercis canadensis ‘Merlot’)
For deeper backyards and bigger lots, select larger focal points to break up expansive lawns and add depth. Planting Merlot Redbud and Spring Flurry® Serviceberry together creates a stunning, layered look.
Spring Flurry® Serviceberry (Amelanchier laevis ‘JFS-Arb’) — J. Frank Schmidt Photo
Serviceberry blooms with large white flowers in spring. Redbud follows with deep purple leaves. Both command attention from a distance. Paired together, they create a natural canopy for a hidden, high-end fire pit lounge or private evening retreat.
Tater Tot® Arborvitae (Thuja occidentalis ‘SMNTOBAB’)
Smaller accent plants in borders and interior perennial beds keep things organized. Tater Tot® Arborvitae is a tiny evergreen that naturally grows into a perfect little ball.
This shrub doesn’t need shearing, making it an excellent choice for lining pathways or dotting the corners of planted borders. Pack it into large corner patio containers and use it in landscape designs that require whimsy, like in a secret garden or as part of a children’s playground.
June Hosta (Hosta x ‘June’)
In next-level landscape designs, mix plant pairings to add surprising texture and movement. For fun contrast, plant June Hosta underneath Soft Serve® Gold False Cypress. June Hosta’s broad, blue-and-gold leaves thrive in the shade and perfectly complement the evergreen’s golden highlights and candy-kiss shape.
Red October Big Bluestem (Andropogon gerardii ‘Red October’)
Prefer a clean, modern aesthetic? Blend upright or dense compact shrubs with native grasses like Red October Big Bluestem. The fine texture of the ornamental grass dances in the wind, creating serene motion against a more solid green backdrop. When combined with June Hosta, Red October Big Bluestem adds gentle movement to an outdoor seating area while June Hosta’s broad leaves soften stone edges.
Designers and contractors planning for commercial and home landscapes can get highly creative with all of these varieties. Use Red Pillar Rose of Sharon to build living maze walls in a public children’s garden or commercial outdoor dining alcove. Simulate a high-rise rooftop in a residential backyard by packing Tater Tot® arborvitaes into large containers and spill June Hosta over a corner raised bed. The possibilities really are endless!
About Loma Vista Nursery ‒ Midwest Wholesale Plant Grower
Celebrating 35 years in business in 2026, Loma Vista Nursery grows a variety of perennial plants, shrubs and trees for garden centers, landscape contractors and wholesale distributors.
Visit our website to learn more about our nursery, including our processes, plant varieties and business values. Review our plant catalog for detailed information and to order. For assistance with orders or plant-related questions, please call (785) 229-7200 or send an email to sales@lomavistanursery.com. Our team of plant experts is happy to answer questions and provide information about the reliable varieties we grow.
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