How to screen an eyesore?

THE PROBLEM

This client's neighbour across the road had recently removed a lot of screening, and the view of their garden was now rather ugly. Basically, my client had to look at a utility area, which was the view from their dining room. Since the neighbour had no plans,  my client felt they had to do something.

My client had already planted a Hornbeam hedge in a straight row, but realised that it was going to be several years before it had any impact. So what to do?

View  from my clients POV

THE SOLUTION

I suggested the need to go for some Semi Mature planting, that would detract from the eyesore on day one, and in time screen it altogether.   I took my client to view the choice at Tendercare Nurseries, and together we chose the plants to use. I don't personally plant mature shrubs, but am happy to come up with the planting design, and organise the project.

I sprayed out the new border shape in the lawn so that the new planted was a gentle curve which continued seamlessly from the existing shrubs.    A contractor with a mini digger then prepared the new planting area, and a planting team from Tendercare planted the mature plants.  The customer was happy to infill and underplant with their own choice, in this case Heathers which they know do well here in Crowthorne's acidic soil.

And here is the result just a few months later!

The main height is from Magnolia Grandiflora, which is evergreen and will get tall pretty quickly.
To the sides of the Magnolia are Hollies, also evergreen to fill in below the  Magnolia and provide
a contrast in foliage texture.  In front are 3 Hydrangea Annabelle looking fabulous. Not evergreen, but
not important, since their backdrop is. The customer has also underplanted these with Snowdrops.

The side view and one of the 3 Holly plants on the left underplanted with Heathers.
The final plant in the scheme, just left of the Hydrangea, is a deciduous winter flowering Viburnum Dawn, which will also grow tall. They have really interesting stems and foliage too, and  lower stems can be removed as it  grows to allow space for the Hydrangeas below.

A very happy customer. The neighbour opposite has now put up a trellis part way along their boundary, but the mess of their utility area still visible through the trellis. Sometimes a problem becomes an opportunity which turns out for the best.