Gardening with Gary

Gardening Advice from an Expert

Shaded Fence Row

Q. I have a fence row that is on a slight upgraded hill, sandy soil and quite shaded. Recently people put a modular home on the other side of our fence row and their junk cars are quite an eyesore. I want to plant vines and things to improve and mostly block the view of the other side of the fence. However, I am having trouble finding plants that weather well in sand and shade. Do you have any suggestions? We are in Michigan. Thanks for any help you can give!

A. The first one that comes to mind is ivy. You can get the large-leafed English variety that is suited for outdoors. I used to grow it in Ohio. It can be trained up the wall to hide the cars.

Orange-flowered trumpet vine would work too. It is extremely hardy and grows in cold weather and practically total shade. I would also suggest evergreens which will grow up to 8 feet rather quickly and block the view 12 months out of the year. Yews, Hemlock, Pine, and Juniper would work. Check your local nursery for availability.