Hideous Fences: Lavatera Blooms Will Mask Them By Mid-Summer

Gardeners can hide unsightly fences, chain-link mesh, or old pickets by planting lavatera. Unlike many climbing plants, lavatera does not require the installation of stakes, wires, or trellises to create a dense floral screen. By sowing seeds in September, you can establish a thick wall of pale pink blooms by mid-summer of the following year. Autumn Sowing for Stronger Growth Sowing in September allows seeds to undergo natural hardening in the soil, which leads to uniform and hardy sprouts as soon as the snow melts in spring. According to seasonal garden consultant Irina Kolesnikova, this timing mimics the natural cycle of wild plants, making the bushes more resilient to spring temperature fluctuations than those grown from seedlings or sown in May. To plant, simply scatter seeds into shallow furrows along the fence line and cover them with a light layer of soil. The seeds do not require winter insulation or additional covering. By spring, these seeds develop into expansive bushes with large heart-shaped leaves that provide a dense green backdrop before the flowering begins.