08/12/2026
Turn an exposed chain-link fence into a beautiful living privacy screen with a row of narrow evergreens and layered flowering plants.
Choose the Right Evergreens
Columnar evergreens provide year-round screening without taking over the narrow side yard. Arborvitae are commonly used, but the best variety depends on climate, sunlight, soil drainage, and available width.
Check the mature size before planting. Some arborvitae eventually grow 10 to 15 feet wide, while narrower varieties may stay closer to 3 to 5 feet. Choosing by mature width prevents an attractive row from becoming overcrowded.
Plan the Spacing
Space the trees according to their expected mature size rather than placing them tightly together for instant privacy. Slight gaps between young plants will close as they grow.
Set the trunks far enough from the chain-link fence that branches can develop naturally without growing through the wire. Leave additional room on the yard side so the evergreens do not eventually narrow the walkway or grass strip.
Prepare the Planting Bed
Remove the struggling grass and create one continuous bed along the fence. Make it wide enough for the evergreens, flowering plants, and access for maintenance.
Dig planting holes no deeper than the root balls. The tops should sit level with or slightly above the surrounding soil, especially in heavy clay. Planting too deeply is a common cause of decline in arborvitae.
Improve Drainage When Needed
Evergreens need consistent moisture while establishing, but they do not perform well in soil that remains waterlogged. Observe the area after heavy rain before planting.
Do not fill the holes with a completely different soil mixture. Backfill mostly with the existing soil so roots expand into the surrounding ground instead of remaining inside a soft pocket.
Add Layered Planting
Use the evergreens as the tall background, then add medium shrubs and perennials in front. Hydrangeas, hostas, salvia, catmint, heuchera, compact boxwoods, ornamental grasses, and flowering perennials can soften the straight row when suited to the available light.
Repeat a few plants throughout the bed rather than using a different variety in every space. Groups of white flowers, purple spikes, variegated foliage, and rounded shrubs create rhythm and help the long border feel intentional.
Protect the Walkway
Keep plants low near the curved stone path so branches do not lean into the walking area. Place the widest shrubs farther from the edge and allow room for their mature growth.
Preserve a comfortable strip of grass between the path and planting bed. Clean curves make mowing easier and keep the side yard from feeling crowded.
Mulch and Water
Apply a moderate layer of mulch to conserve moisture and suppress weeds without chemicals. Keep it several inches away from evergreen trunks and plant crowns.
Water deeply during the first two growing seasons, especially during hot or windy weather. A drip line beneath the mulch can water the entire row evenly without soaking the foliage.
Maintain the Screen
Inspect the evergreens regularly for browning, bagworms, spider mites, broken leaders, and winter damage. Correct watering and spacing will prevent many problems.
Avoid cutting deeply into old bare wood, since many arborvitae will not regrow from it. Lightly trim new growth only when needed to maintain clearance and an even appearance.
The evergreen row hides the chain-link fence throughout the year, while the flowering plants add color, texture, and a softer transition to the lawn. With proper spacing, the finished border will become fuller and more private without overwhelming the narrow side yard.
