I needed the same thing between my driveway and the neighbor's next door. Our kitchen doors exit right in front of each other, and I wanted to give up both privacy upon exiting without being invasive. My solution was to plant a row of Rose of Sharon, Hibiscus syriacus. The shrub is tough, grows fast!, prunes to any shape, blooms late summer-fall, and is disease and pest free. Plus, these shrubs are inexpensive, yet beautiful. I trim them down to about 4 feet in early spring, and they grow to about 7 feet by summer, blooming on new growth. They do need full to part sun. Although they are deciduous, they still give enough privacy through winter. Good luck :)

Here is a link that might be useful: Hibiscus syriacus

I saw a fence treatement just yesterday that I really liked. I can't find a picture to illustrate it, but the attached link gives you an idea of the materials used, at least.

It was part wood and part wrought iron...VERY attractive! The wrought iron sections thoughout the length of the fence completely took away that awful (in my opinion) barricade look and appearance! I'd guess that it might have been half and half, but can't be certain. The iron was black and the wood had been stained a rich tint.

Here is a link that might be useful:

A trellis system may be something you want to think about--not just a series of individual, ready-made trellises, but one designed for your site. If you want to get really fancy, design one based on squares and have some of the squares paned with an etched glass or lattice inserts.

If expense is an issue, but you like the trellis idea, do it in segments, starting with the area to mask the garage.

Depending on the look you want to achieve, you can either grow rambling/informal things up the trellises, or you can train shrubs/trees up the trellis in a geometric pattern.

I think you might look into the idea of a lattice-work fence. You can still talk to your neighbors through it, but it gives a sense of privacy. Plus, if you grow vines up yours, it provides even more privacy. Since my yard is still quite young the vines haven't quite filled in yet, but they will. Here are some pictures of my own yard. (These were some before pictures before I did some weeding and planted a lot of annuals and some perennials.)

Pictures of the fence. If it takes you to the picture of the front of my house, just click to the next 2 pictures, which are of the fence.

astphard, I haven't checked this site in a while. Read your response and went to the picture. Never got past the first one which is the front of your house because it took my breath away. That is the house I lived in when in law school at Tulane. I am certain it is because of the camelback next door. I lived in the left side as you face the porch. Can't remember the street anme (this was 25 years ago) but I remeber a little neighborhood restaurant around the corner that had great red beans and rice on Mondays and good po boys. A cemetary on the corner. What a coincidence!!!!

Like the lattice idea. In fact I like all the ideas. Now to get to work on one because the garage is about finished and is closer and bigger than I had anticipated!!

Astphard, beautiful trellis! This is just what I've been wanting to do ... What did you use for plans?

Sorry I'm responding remarkably late. Thanks for the compliments! I didn't have any plans for the fence, I just talked with fencing people telling folks what I wanted. I admit that it was somewhat difficult to find a square lattice (rather than the diamond). Lowe's used to carry it, but they stopped doing so down here, but maybe they carry it elsewhere. My fencer ended up finding someone to custom do it.

And hiho, what an amazingly small world! We live in the same house, because facing the porch, I too live on the left side! The restaurant, I think, is gone as the only one within a couple of blocks is The Italian Pie as Bud's Broiler hasn't reopened, but there is Evangeline Lounge right around the corner but I don't think they've been here long.

If I think about it I'll try and add some more recent pictures because my potato vine has really taken off and is really starting to cover the fence well, and I've added some Lamarque roses (still in their early stages). But the garden is definitely getting more of the courtyard feel.