Gardens in the UK offer a mix of sun, partial shade, and areas that stay cool throughout the day. By choosing the right plants and pairing them with the most suitable fence panels, trellis, or raised beds, you can make every part of your garden productive and beautiful.

This guide explores reliable plant combinations, ideal growing conditions, planting times and care advice, along with suggestions for the best type of garden structure to support each choice.Your

1. Clematis and Climbing Roses

Best for: South or west facing fences with 6 hours of sun or more

Recommended structure: Trellis panel on top of solid fencing

Trellis with solid fence panel

Why it works:

Clematis and roses are classic climbing partners. Clematis winds through the rose stems, adding colour at different times of the year.

Planting times:

• Bare root roses in November to March
• Clematis in spring or early autumn

Care:

• Tie stems to the trellis while plants establish
• Feed roses in spring with a balanced fertiliser
• Keep clematis roots cool with a layer of mulch

Shop Trellis Panels

2. Hydrangea and Ferns

Best for: Shady or north facing areas

Recommended structure: Solid fence panel as a calm backdrop

Hydrangea with solid fence panel

Why it works:

Hydrangeas brighten shade with large blooms. Ferns fill the gaps with soft texture.

Planting times:

• Hydrangeas in spring or autumn
• Ferns at any time except during frost

Care:

• Keep soil moist
• Apply mulch yearly
• Prune hydrangeas based on the variety (macrophylla in late summer, paniculata in late winter)

Shop Fence Panels

3. Lavender, Salvia and Echinacea

Best for: Full sun, warm spots, front of borders

Recommended structure: Slatted fence panels for airflow and a Mediterranean feel

Why it works:

All three plants thrive in dry, sunny areas. Their flowers attract bees and butterflies.

Planting times:

• Most reliably planted in spring once the soil warms

Care:

• Avoid heavy watering
• Cut lavender lightly after flowering
• Deadhead salvia through summer to encourage repeat blooms

4. Box Hedge with Hostas

Best for: Partial shade and sheltered spaces

Recommended structure: Raised beds to lift the planting and help drainage

Box hedge and slatted fence panels

Why it works:

Box forms tidy structure and evergreen form. Hostas provide bold leaves beneath.

Planting times:

• Box hedging in autumn or spring
• Hostas in spring

Care:

• Watch for slugs near hostas
• Clip box hedging in summer
• Water raised beds more regularly than ground soil

5. Honeysuckle with Evergreen Jasmine

Best for: Narrow side passages or shaded boundaries

Recommended structure: Trellis panels along long fence runs

Honeysuckle or Jasmine with trellis panels

Why it works:

Both climbers are scented and tolerate partial shade. They quickly cover boundaries.

Planting times:

• Spring or early autumn

Care:

• Train stems sideways on trellis for fuller coverage
• Lightly prune after flowering
• Water well until established

6. Verbena bonariensis with Ornamental Grasses (Stipa or Miscanthus)

Best for: Full sun and windy spots

Recommended structure: Slatted fencing that allows movement of air and light

Verbena and grasses with slatted fence panels

Why it works:

Tall verbena floats above grasses, creating naturalistic movement.

Planting times:

• Spring

Care:

• Cut grasses down in late winter
• Verbena self seeds readily so remove unwanted seedlings

7. Rhododendrons with Azaleas

Best for: Dappled shade and acidic soils

Recommended structure: Solid fence panel to block wind and create shelter

Solid fence panels for shaded planting

Why it works:

Both shrubs flower in spring and prefer the same soil and light.

Planting times:

• Early autumn or spring

Care:

• Use ericaceous compost
• Water with rainwater if possible
• Lightly deadhead flowers after they fade

Seasonal Planting Calendar

Spring (March to May)
• Lavender, salvia, echinacea, hostas, clematis in pots
• Plant raised beds with structural shrubs
• Begin mulching borders

Summer (June to August)
• Water new plants deeply once or twice weekly
• Deadhead and prune lightly
• Check trellis and fencing for climbing support

Autumn (September to November)
• Best time for shrubs and hedging
• Prepare beds for winter
• Plant clematis and hydrangeas

Winter (December to February)
• Prune roses (January)
• Protect delicate plants with mulch
• Install new fencing or trellis while plants are dormant

Choosing the Right Garden Structure

Solid Fence Panels
Perfect for shade gardens or shrubs that prefer shelter. They create a clean, neutral backdrop for foliage-heavy planting.

Slatted Fence Panels
Ideal for sunny borders and gardens that benefit from filtered light or increased airflow.

Trellis Panels
The best choice for climbers. They open the space visually and can be installed above a solid fence for extra height.

Raised Beds
Useful for areas with poor drainage and for plants that like specific soil conditions. They also create neat, defined layouts. Raised beds can be created from sleepers or landscape timbers like our traditional garden sleepers or Jakwall.

Related content: 

You may also be interested in learning about the best climbing plants for fencing:

Best climbing plants for fencing