Creating Attractive Property Lines

porch roof garden

A benefit of having an awning, whether it be a retractable awning or patio roof is that you can sit comfortably on your deck or porch and enjoy your property.

backyard patio with garden

One of the most common reasons that homeowners landscape property lines is simply to create a line of demarcation along a boundary. In doing so, there is always a clear understanding where your property ends and your neighbour’s begins. The mutual goal for landscaping the property line is to create privacy and security. This aim can be accomplished in many different ways using various options.

Based upon your aspirations for the end result, you may have to decide on whether a privacy fence is right for you in creating your distinctive line of demarcation, but border plantings can have a similar effect as well depending on the species. Perhaps you would like to incorporate both to some degree so there is a blend of hardline definition along with a softer look of beauty and colour. You may want to consider even using a deck, patio and garden off the main house for boundary separation. Seldom do we think of awnings as property boundaries, but depending on the direction the house sits in relation to your next door neighbour, an awning can help to define that separation when surrounded by your landscape.

Evergreen Shrubs:

Evergreen shrubs are both an attractive and a practical way for landscaping property lines because they provide foliage to admire all four seasons of the year. In addition to their visual good looks, they offer homeowners year-round privacy. Even though their name suggests “evergreen”, don’t think that you’re restricted to the colour green because some species offer colours that will make your property line shimmer with gold. They can be planted as hedges that can be trimmed for a formal look or left to grow according to their natural patterns and growth cycle.

Fast Growing Shrubs for Screening & Colour:

When you don’t have time on your side to achieve your privacy screening, you might want to consider selecting fast-growing shrubs that will produce the desired effect in a hurry. Shrubs like Lilac, Forsythia, Rose of Sharon and Mock Orange are steady growers that put on a beautiful and bountiful display of accent for your property flowering shrubs.

Combinations:

As any good landscaper will tell you, a combination of evergreen and flowering shrubs can offer you the best of both worlds for landscaping property lines. With a little thought ahead of time and planning, you can some grow enough evergreens to block the public’s gaze, while having enough colours dispersed throughout for an eye-catching boundary display.

Hedges:

A well-manicured hedge is ideal for forming a partition that replicates a wall. The wall of green offers homeowners a good middle ground for those people who crave their privacy but dislike fences. Unlike mixed borders, a hedge gives the appearance of straight line lines and even surface with a formality and crispness of a hardscape feature. Hedges require more upkeep to maintain their uniform and distinguished appearance, but it’s worth the effort to have your property line defined.

Trees:

Trees are a popular plant choice in landscaping property lines.  In addition to offering privacy, trees are natural insulators and windbreakers. For a tree to be effective near a street, a tree must be pollution tolerant, such as being able to survive the onslaught of road salt. Additionally, some species grow to be quite large, so consider what impact this will have on your property and your neighbour. If size is an issue, a dwarf tree might be a good alternative dwarf trees.

Fences:

As the old saying goes, good fences make good neighbours, this particularly holds true when discussing property lines. There are numerous fencing options available for landscaping property lines and your final selection will depend on what you wish to achieve. While some are meant for total privacy, others are more ornamental in their design; however, both will provide a distinct demarcation between you and your neighbour.

Stone Wall:

A stone wall is another landscaping technique to draw attention to a boundary or property line.  If fences, bushes and trees are disqualified for any number of reasons, such as cost or maintenance, a stone wall may be suitable for your property. You have the choice of complementing it with growing vines or leave it as a stand-alone attraction, but either way, it will make a definitive statement. Jans Awning Products in Burlington installs awnings, windows, patio roofs and canopies which are meant to enhance your outdoor living experience.  If you live in the Burlington area, contact Jans Awning Products today for more information.