Living Fences: A Gardener's Guide to Hedges, Vines & Espaliers

It's reasonable to want to make one's home a serene oasis, a safe haven from hustle and bustle of a busy life. Why, then, is it so hard to make such a space a reality? Between street noise, boisterous neighbors, stray animals, wandering pets, headlights, and streetlamps, it is nearly impossible to feel secluded at home these days. High stockade fences and masonry walls can feel austere and uninviting; no one wants to be resented by their neighbors. And zoning laws and building codes mean yo...