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Homeowner shows off their creative method to block neighbor's yard: '[It's] putting on a great show'

"It's very lush and cottage-y."

Photo Credit: Reddit

An industrious homeowner found just the way to block out their "ugly neighbors." Their fence solution wasn't vinyl, wood, or aluminum. It was an au naturel living fence.

They shared the innovative solution to block an unattractive view in the r/NativePlantGardening subreddit.

Photo Credit: Reddit

"It really shines in the fall with the asters, but all my swamp milkweed is putting on a great show right now," they wrote.

When asked what made the neighbors ugly, the original poster spilled the beans. Their neighbors paved their yard completely, park landscaping equipment on it, power-wash daily, and obsessively use Roundup to treat weeds. With all that in mind, it makes sense that the OP opted for a living fence.

This living fence concept uses beautiful native plants to create a barrier, offering a year-round solution at a fraction of the cost of traditional fencing. The homeowner identified other plants they used as Joe Pye weed, red osier dogwood, and buttonbush to intrigued commenters.

Native plants like these offer numerous ecological benefits, attracting pollinators like butterflies and bees. Milkweed, in particular, is a boon for endangered monarch butterflies. Attracting all of these animals enhances the view even more for the OP, as they obscure the view of the neighbors.

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This native plant approach also avoids the need for chemical treatments and reduces water use, both of which are beneficial for the environment. Partial lawn replacements with options like clover, buffalo grass, and xeriscaping can also provide these advantages.

Living fences also contribute to carbon reduction by absorbing carbon dioxide. They can also cool the area and absorb sound, as Popular Science noted. Avoiding the use of resources like lumber or metals also reduces pollution from their production and transportation. 

Redditors celebrated the OP's proactive approach, and others revealed they were working on similar projects.

"I'm growing one to block my neighbors' backyard junk pile," one revealed. "Bonus: Pollinators and birds galore!"

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Another gushed: "Magical! Its very lush and cottage-y."

One commenter seemed to win the award for most in need of plant protection from their neighbors.

"My neighbors set a car on fire and then flipped it over on its side and started using it for target practice," they shared. "I'm in need of more living fence plants as well lol."

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