There are many reasons to use fencing within a garden that contribute aesthetically to garden design and also serve a functional purpose. Fences can be used in the garden to separate or border individual sections, to complement or contrast with the beauty of certain blooms, to block off and provide privacy in a particular section, to provide stability to climbing plants or to give the garden certain character. For example, fencing may be desired in a situation where a garden consists of separate plots designated for various plantings such as perennials, roses, vegetables, herbs or berries.

Choosing different fence materials and color schemes adds to the design or atmosphere of the garden. For example, a garden designed to resemble an English garden can be bordered by hedges in addition to fencing to create an old English atmosphere. Arches, gates or arbors along a fence indicate the entrance to the garden while low fences within the garden might line a garden path while a bench shaded by a tall panel fence might provide a small private area for meditation and solitude.

There are a variety of styles of wooden fences that can be decorative as well as useful. A rail fence provides a boundary without blocking the view while a stockade fence provides privacy and a solid wall to complement or contrast nearby plantings. The solid fence panels can also be used as a structure for climbing plants and espalier.

In addition to materials, the color of a fence is another aspect to consider. An unpainted wooden stockade fence creates a neutral backdrop to colorful blooms while a low white picket fence offers a country garden feel. On the other hand, a fence can be painted a dark color to make bright blooms pop or a lighter color to highlight an abundance of greenery.

Also, wooden lattice is a good choice for creating a wall-sized trellis fence in the garden that can serve as a divider or privacy wall. Two or three large lattice panels can be used to create a private sitting area within the garden with plenty of vertical space for climbing plants.

Low metal fencing adds decorative value and provides a low border that can keep guests from trampling flowers but allow them to enjoy the view. In fact, metal border fencing is available in a variety of styles that add to the beauty and atmosphere of the garden. In contrast to low metal fencing, large laser cut metal fence panels deliver a decorative, yet industrial looking garden divider that adds artistic beauty to a garden but is also useful as a structure to partition off sections of the garden.

If metal and wood fencing aren't in the budget, an inexpensive garden wall or bench can easily be erected with cinder blocks. A long cinder block bench, although not a fence, can be used as a divider between two garden plots. The finished wall or bench can be painted to add color or left gray to contrast with the colorful garden blooms.

Another way to take advantage of inexpensive cinder blocks while also creating a separate planting area is to use the blocks to build a raised garden bed. Stacy Fisher writing for thespruce.com says, "This is a super simple project that has you just stack some cinder blocks into a square. Fill the inside with dirt and plant your vegetables or flowers." A cinder block raised garden is less expensive than one of lumber and doesn't require cutting or fasteners.

Fences within a garden or used as a border can add beauty, function, atmosphere and in some cases, privacy to the landscape.