The Living Fence   Unfortunately we live in a time when fences are becoming more prevalent due to security issues. Gated communities are the most desired places to live, because of their sense of security. While fences are desirable, they bring many issues with them; gangs paint them with graffiti; wood fences are discolored and rote due to irrigation; wrought iron rust quicker due to irrigation; people do not want to look at them. As landscape managers these are issues that we are continually faced with.   GRAFFITI. You might have noticed that Cal Trans has recently installed vines on the block walls that border the freeways. This is an excellent solution for graffiti control on block walls. You could even alternate flowering vines with more aggressive clinging vines to give you some color. Most flowering vines require some sort of support, while some of the fast growing vines adhere to the block surface. A growth regulating chemical can be used in areas where you want a more manicured look.   IRRIGATION. This is the largest controlling factor in determining the life of wrought iron and wood fences. We use a few simple rules when irrigating around fences to increase the life of the fences. 1. watering in the evenings and early mornings when there is no wind. 2. use flat throw heads spaced 15% closer against the fences. 3. heads throwing into fences should not reach to the fence (coverage should be adequate with the close space heads against the fence).   GROUND COVER AND SELF ADHERING VINES. We resist recommending aggressive growing round cover (Ivy, Honeysuckle, etc.) around wrought iron fences. Ground cover of any kind should never be allowed to grow over the lower brace of a wrought iron fence, plants constantly expel moisture from there leaves which can corrode the wrought iron. this constant moisture can corrode the fence faster the intermittent moisture applied by the irrigation system. There is also nothing wrong with a bare soil that has a top dress of dark rich mulch.   Self adhering vines (Ivy, Ficus repens, etc.) when allowed to grow onto stucco walls will be damaged when the vine is removed. The stucco will be covered with the attaching mechanisms of the plant or it might peel off the stucco when it is removed. Both of those issues are solved by pruning a 3" border around the walls. Self adhering vines can also damage wood fences by growing in between the slats and around the posts, warping and pulling apart the fence, not to mention the constant moisture that the plant expels.   HEDGES. Our Condo clients have found the screening of; mismatched fences, foot traffic, vehicle traffic, unsightly views can be done effectively and less expensively with plant material than building a fence. The pros of a hedge are; that i can bloom, it does not need to be painted, it is a softer buffer. the cons of a head are; that if not properly maintained it can die, the hedge is not as secure as a fence but there are many type of plants that make waling through a chore (Pyracantha, Hakea, Carissa). If planted and designed properly a hedge can be a great living fence.   Planting and managing the landscape around fences does not have to be difficult. Take the surrounding environment into consideration when choosing the plant material. You do not want to have plants that will quickly grow the planting space. choose the right plants for the exposure they will be planted in. Set up the irrigation properly. Inspect the irrigation regularly (at least every two weeks) and adjust it as necessary. Remember it is easier to plan and work in harmony with nature rather than against it.