One of the most overlooked accents is fence lighting. Illuminating your yard can be accomplished through underground wiring, but a quicker and more cost-effective method is solar lighting. The optimal method is to have the lighting included as part of the fence installation. However, you can still enjoy illumination, greater security, and enhanced safety with solar lighting.

Solar Lighting

There are so many different types of solar lighting available, it can be overwhelming. Solar units can be installed on fence caps and hung from brackets from fence posts. They’re offered in a myriad of styles from those that look like coach lights to futuristic designs. Solar lights have the advantage of being an environmentally-friendly choice, can be installed anywhere on any type of fencing, and are extremely low maintenance.

Solar lights add ambiance to outdoor environments. The initial cost will depend on the brand and style of lights chosen, but are less expensive than those that rely on underground wiring. Another advantage is that they work even in a power outage. Solar lights are available in different lumen measurements, depending on how much illumination you desire, and can come equipped with motion sensors. There are even models with rotating colors.

Wired Lighting

Best included in the design plan when the fence is installed, wired lighting is tied into a traditional electrical system and requires the installation of underground wiring. They can be installed with a switch that allows you to turn them on or off as desired.

The disadvantage is that they won’t work if a power outage occurs. Many models are also equipped with motion sensors that turn on and off, even if the lights have been doused. Low-voltage lights are typically utilized as accent lighting for plants and pathways and are equally applicable as fence lighting. You can also use strings of lights – full size or miniatures – as temporary lighting for events and gatherings.

Gardening enthusiasts often practice their skills and enhance their fence line with plants. It’s an especially popular option where space is at a premium. The trick to this type of fence enhancement is choosing vines and shrubs for vertical gardening that are easily contained. There are numerous options that won’t litter the lawn, requires little care, and emit an enticing aroma.

Clematis

One of the most popular vines is the clematis, known as the “Queen of Climbers.” They’re easy to grow, available in a multitude of colors and color combinations, and have large, showy blossoms. They’re not recommended for growing around children and pets as they’re mildly toxic if ingested.

Morning Glory

Fast growing climbers, they have attractive heart-shaped leaves and a wealth of colors is available. Blooms open in the morning and last for several hours. One variety – moon flower – blossoms at night. They like full sun, but may need some protection from hot afternoon sun in South Florida. They easily self-sow and are highly attractive to bees, butterflies and hummingbirds.

Honeysuckle

The honeysuckle produces fragrant flowers from summer through autumn followed by red berries. The easy-to-grow climber can overwhelm a fence if flowered stems aren’t cut back by a third in late summer. Hummingbirds like them.

Ivy

There’s an ivy to accommodate any preference and there are very few places where ivy won’t thrive. Be sure and choose the climbing variety and not the creeping type. Keeping it contained is a simple matter of cutting it back.

Hydrangeas

These bushes can grow up to 15 ft. in height and have a stylish appearance with clusters of pom-pom type blossoms. They like moist and well-drained soil. Colors encompass hues of pink and red to blue, lavender, white and green. Acidic soils are best for blue varieties, alkaline soils for pinks and reds.

There are many reasons why you might want to erect a fence on your property and the reason you want a fence will have a significant impact on the type of fencing that’s selected. It’s a good idea to consult with a fencing professional before making any decisions.

There’s an array of new fencing options of which you may not be aware that are beautiful and effective alternatives to traditional materials. What you want to accomplish with the fence will also be important. The following are the top five reasons that you may want to consider adding a fence to your landscape.

Boundaries

Fencing is an excellent way to establish boundaries and prevent trespassing. Accidental trespassing is quite common. Fences are also effective in deterring incursions by neighbors that don’t respect property lines.

Curb Appeal

Whether you’re planning on selling your home or living in it for many years, you may want to erect a fence for the beautification factor. In those instances, the aesthetics of the materials and design are of paramount importance to frame the property and display it to its best advantage. Fences are also great for concealing unattractive elements on the property ranging from generators and air conditioning units to trash cans and utility boxes.

Safety

A fence is an excellent safety measure if you have children or pets, providing them with a safe space to play. It keeps them from accidentally wandering into outdoor dangers such as pools, ponds, cliffs, and dangerous embankments.

Security

Whether it’s teens using your yard as a shortcut or an individual intent on burglary or other mayhem, a fence provides a security barrier. Fences also keep dangerous wildlife or domestic animals from wandering into the yard.

Privacy

The distance between homes is decreasing and privacy is at a premium. A fence prevents neighbors and passersby from peering into your yard or eavesdropping on conversations. Fencing frees families and enables them to be themselves while outdoors.