There's always that one house in the neighborhood. As I was walking my dogs one day, I passed by that one house with the massive dogs who terrorize every passerby, and they broke through their fence and chased us all the way home. Now, every time I walk by, I look at their half-broken fence, hoping this isn't the day it falls over for good. If only they had a stronger fence!
Kyle_Grows_JAX (@kylewjax_realtor) shared an easy fence alternative on TikTok for privacy: planting viburnum, which can form hedges that can grow multiple feet per year.
@kylewjax_realtor 🌿 Looking for some quick and beautiful privacy for your yard? Planting viburnum is the way to go! This lush hedge grows fast, giving you the ultimate natural screen. Say goodbye to prying eyes and hello to your private oasis! 🏡🌳 #thatrealtorwhogardens #thatgaygardener #garden #gardening #gardeningtips #homegarden #gardenproject #fyp #summerishere #zone9 #zone9garden #gettingdirtywithkyle #spring #summerinthesouth #stache #stachedaddy #GreenThumb #Gardening101 #GreenTherapy #GardeningJourney #GardenLove #PrivacyHedge #Viburnum #HomeGarden #NaturalPrivacy #OutdoorLiving #hedgegate ♬ Best background music for corporate CM, company description videos, etc. - harryfaoki
Whether you're planting hedges for privacy or to make sure your dogs don't get out of the yard, there are both consumer and environmental benefits.
The scoop
"Let me introduce you to your hedge best friend," Kyle said, adding in the caption: "Say goodbye to prying eyes and hello to your private oasis!"
The Jacksonville realtor planted viburnum in his yard, separating the individual hedges 3 to 4 feet apart so they grow together well, saying: "This lush hedge grows fast, giving you the ultimate natural screen."
There are myriad viburnum species — more than 150, in fact — so finding a species native to your area could be key to ensuring it grows well.
Kyle lives in northeast Florida, where it's "more tropical," and in just two years, the hedges have grown to 7 feet tall — they'd be even larger if they weren't maintained.
How it's helping
Privacy fences can be quite expensive, and people often damage trees and plant life to erect the fences. Hedges can also be more beneficial to your yard's ecosystem.
Hedges serve as a natural habitat for wildlife, such as birds, insects, and other small mammals. They can also be instrumental in absorbing pollution and noise.
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If you were to switch from a grass lawn to a more natural option, which of these factors would be your primary motivation?
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Making it look better 🌱 "It's drought-resistant. Once it's established, it'll take off," Kyle said. "I can promise you, your neighbors will love the privacy, too."
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What everyone's saying
Quite a few commenters were curious if the viburnum hedges are "deer resistant." Kyle was happy to report that deer tended to stay away from the privacy hedges. "We have a real deer problem where we are, and thankfully, they have left our hedge alone," he said. Good news for making sure dogs stay in the backyard.
"Hedge beats a fence any day," one commenter said.
"Great! I hate seeing my neighbors," another commenter joked.
With their fast growth, natural beauty, and environmental benefits, a hedge fence offers a sustainable alternative to traditional fences — keeping out unwanted visitors and ending your pet's next great escape plan before it even begins.
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