Here are more pictures

I live in a condo complex and the utility box is surrounded by a short fence in taupe-ish wood. I've been in my modern condo for more than 10 years, and I like it! As you go through this process, keep in mind the style of your home and the style of the covering that you choose. Make sure to keep a unified and cohesive look throughout. The great thing about a short fence is that it doesn't have to be maintained!

What do the utilities require as to spacing and access? I wonder if those boxwoods pass muster.

@Elaine, I thought of a trellis and I like your fence idea. Thanks

@Yvonne they have been there for several years so I assume they are ok with HOA.

Maybe if you run them over with your car enough times someone will relocate them to another safer location.

So the boxwoods are mainly on your property, but they provide the benefit for your neighbor? That's strange. The dirt they are in looks very inhospitable to growing anything right now, but I think it would look best if you planted boxwoods as well.

The boxwoods look nice and do a great job of hiding this unsightly boxes. They take a long time to grow that big and I would not remove them. I would probably plant one more box wood to help fully block that one utility cover that's still visible from the street. I think plants look much better than a half fence or trellis that would just draw attention to that area with the utilities. I would focus your landscaping efforts on the areas closer to your front door and just do something simple along the property line.

Boxwoods appear to benefit him not you. His side looks great and yours not so much.

We have a utility box out front so I feel for you. We’ve chosen to do nothing.

Digging around these boxes is typically a minefield. It's easy to slice through cables with shovels, so be careful. Anything you install should be very small to avoid disturbing cables below the ground. Their location is typically in an easement on the edge of your property.

Our HOA installed ornamental grasses around our utility boxes, and for half the year, the boxes are exposed because the grasses die back. I'd go for the boxwoods, but would trim them in a less unnatural shape than the current ones.

Those are doggone close to your driveway! (Or, maybe your driveway is being built doggone close to those boxes.)

I too would be cautious of making an enemy of my neighbor. Been there done that. It’s miserable.

In my opinion, the best solution is a couple more boxwoods strategically placed next to your driveway, leaving empty space around the boxes. One in the spot I marked.

Grasses would work but they die back in the winter. And if you get a kind that flops or gets too tall, that’s a whole new problem.

@littlebug - Yes that’s why I am trying to work with her, I don’t want start off on the wrong foot. By the way I lived in Missouri most of my life, then Florida and now Alabama.

boxwoods are my vote, but make sure you leave access to the utility box. I also think the driveway is too close

Paint them dark green and glue fake boxwood branches to them.

Be sure to call Miss Utility (or whatever it is called where you live) to mark all underground utility lines before doing any digging. It is required here and everywhere I have lived. That is separate from and has nothing to do with any HOA rules. It is a safety issue.

Here’s a possible solution

They sell faux boulders specifically to cover up those boxes.

@Paul F - I thought about that but I’m sure they look really fake

The one's I've seen at Home Depot look terrible. I pulled this one off the internet and it sure looks a lot better than what I've seen.

Also, It sure would be nice to reach out the car window to collect your mail right there. Can you build a short wall with integrated light and mail box/package drop?

Here are a few suggestions:

Why not do boxwoods all along that side of your driveway then the box would really disappear. I agree you should check with the utility company first . Your HOA rules do not supercede that no matter what your neighbor wants