Barrier Plants: How to Utilize Them in Your Outdoor Spaces

Barrier plants are natures own defense system, if used strategically they can deter pests and invasive species. These organic guard dogs are your one way ticket to a low-maintenance yard.

Barrier plants have many uses. They can act as a literal barrier providing privacy within your outdoor space or, they act as a natural barrier, barring out any unwanted pests and vegetation. In this article, we will discuss how to utilize these barrier plants and the different species available.

Barrier plants, also known as border plants can suppress the growth of other vegetation. They do this by emitting chemical compounds, or by having physical properties that act as a natural defense against competition. Let’s delve into the physical properties that make barrier plants so effective. The strongest on the list is dense root connections. Certain barrier plants have complex and densely packed root systems. These root systems clog up the surrounding ground and prevent other vegetation from establishing. A few examples of these barrier plants are; periwinkle, and privacy hedges like arborvitae, thuja green giant, and cypress. Using these kinds of barrier plants for privacy can have many benefits. They prevent neighboring plants from spreading to your yard and have dense foliage giving you a more private space.

Barrier plants can also be used for gardening. They trap pollutants, boosting the air quality of your vegetable-yielding plants. They also spread eroded sediment, improve the nutrient uptake of filter areas, and reduce the speed of concentrated water. With all these superpowers, barrier plants are able to slow erosion and help spread water more efficiently. This means you won’t need to spend as much time watering and weeding your garden beds. Let the barrier plants do the work for you.

A prime example of this comes all the way from World War I. The United States was encouraging homeowners to produce their own food, thus providing them with an opportunity to assist with the war effort. Many planted vegetable gardens in their backyards, churchyards, city parks, and playgrounds. Keyhole gardens became a popular design as they took up little space, required very little maintenance, and produced bountiful yields. See —> Unlocking the Secrets of Keyhole Gardening: A Sustainable and Space-Saving Solution for more information on Keyhole Gardening. Keyhole gardens require so little maintenance due to their use of barrier plants. These barrier plants prevent weeds from inhabiting the garden, spread water effectively, and prevent pests from getting to the fresh growth.

In conclusion, barrier plants have dozens of upsides and are a beautiful and complicated species of vegetation. Every yard can utilize their strengths whether it’s for growing the perfect bell peppers or guarding the space from wandering eyes. Contact Yard Dudes today to schedule your barrier plant installation, you won’t regret it!

As always, feel free to reach out to us with any comments or questions regarding this article or another at yarddudesco@gmail.com

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