Some other pics that show the spaces where I want to add plants, change plants, do something.

A - places where fence is seen under my trees

B - holes between forsythia

C - has to be maintained as an opening to get the lawnmower behind the trees

D - lawn that could be converted to more garden space.

Ill give you a please do not:

plant a line of green giant arborvitae in a straight row.

smush whatever you plant up against the fence

do remember you have to look at the view as well. People here and on trees and shrubs can help you create a really fine border along your property line. your neighbor sounds like shes in a bad place. what did Michelle Obama say? something like ”they go low, you go high.

looking forward to following your progress

Between the fence and my property (I own the grass behind the big trees and need to mow.)

Forsythia row bends in toward my property because their is a sewer access manhole that they were planted around.

Forsythia bed from my yard

Tree area from fence side of property where there is a big hole (A - on the other photo)

"Ill give you a please do not:

plant a line of green giant arborvitae in a straight row."

Had to laugh - this is exactly what my one neighbor just did between my carport and their driveway. I don't see that area from anywhere in my house - only if I go into the carport - no big deal.

I have a Stella d'oro daylily under my forsythia, to keep the yellow theme going. I have hostas under my yews, to cover the bare bottoms. I actually have a whole yellow garden under my forsythia hedge, that backs onto the neighbor's ugly fence. I have goldenrod, rudbekia, montauk daisies, the daylily, and a St. John's wort.

I love the daylilies in the front of my tall trees. Have some Stella d'oro that I could probably split to place in front of the forsythia. I will have to look at the other plants you mentioned to see what they look like. I was also thinking about planting some iris in front of the forsythia as well.

I was thinking about hostas under the pines but was also thinking maybe a rhododendron would thrive in the dappled sun and I might get some pretty flowers. Maybe an oak leaf hydrangia would work. I just don't know my plants well enough to feel confident in my decisions.

I lack design skills, and don’t know the sun -map pattern in that part of your yard, but wonder if you could use the technique of planting something taller but hazy in front of the forsythia, somewhat out in to the yard, to draw eye toward it rather than the fence. A small ornamental tree or large shrub. I’d not insist on coverage to the ground, in favor of attractive branching pattern higher up, flowers/ foliage.

I get what an eyesore it all seems like suddenly, after having natural tree privacy. But over time that will fade a bit, more so if you have things planted that are not drawing your focal length right to the shed or fence. Of course there are issues of how any new plantings affect your lawn- like a tree that might create a bare spot over time— or add unwanted maintenance.

Meant to put a smiley face at the end of that paragraph.🙂🙂

I lived in So. Cal for 30 years before moving back to PA. Lived with everyone having fences, so I will get over the fence. I just hate trying to figure out what plants will grow where - the only rule that I have completely figured out is that if it grew in my gardens in San Diego it will not grow in Central PA.

Here are some ideas using Needlepoint Holly, Yoshino Cryptomeria, Doublefile Viburnum, Forest Pansy Redbud & Alta Southern Magnolia:

Plant plant plant. I like the suggestion of expanding on the yellow theme - have you considered adding yellowish evergreens? For example ligustrum or juniper?

About the neighbors and your dogs - have you considered that not everyone is a dog lover? Not to excuse her angry and aggressive behavior, but perhaps she or a family member has had an unpleasant experience with an animal. And was unpleasantly surprised to see and hear your dogs.

I’m not a dog lover. I greatly dislike them and they know it so the feeling is mutual. Just sayin.

@ littlebug Zone 5 Missouri - Thank you for the suggestions for yellow theme plants. I am leaning that direction and have a few yellow and orange roses near my shed, so I think I can do something with the area where the forsythia hedge is and make it more attractive.

I do understand and respect that some people don't care for dogs and most are not as crazy about or as tolerant of animals as I am (worked in the humane industry for over 25 years). I also understand that my dogs are 50 and 70 lbs (not tiny lap dogs) and may be frightening if you don't know that they are not going to leave the yard when they are running toward you and barking. I would understand her reaction better if they didn't have a similarly sized dog (a Border Collie).

Not going to let it bother me and will look at the bright side - the fence has motivated me to do something more with that back hedge area.

How about one of the viburnums that would be evergreen for you--V. pragense for example (Prague viburnum) in the space where the forsythia ends.

It's really the wrong time of the year, but I'd suggest experimenting with plants in containers-can be moved around but will give you an idea of color, shape, etc. We bought our house about 10 years ago this month & that's what I did the first year to figure out where to add things (and I still have things in containers every year!) As far as the dog issue, we don't have one now but live in a low picket fence neighborhood with small dogs in most yards & lots of canine neighbors on leashes walking. We had a regular visiting woofer (a big guy!) who was never in the yard without a leash-low fences! I wouldn't think about the invisible fence, does your neighbor know that your dog is contained even if it doesn't look like it? When the German Shepard stayed with us we knew what a sweet boy he was, but some people were wary...the funny thing was, HE knew it too! He growled his head off at a solicitor at the door & once the guy left he just turned & trotted back to the couch! OK, let's watch the Property Brothers!

I think you would create more privacy with a staggered planting along that fenceline-not everything different, but some repetition of one or more of the plants you choose. It would also be more interesting. Have you considered removing the forsythia at somepoint? It is not evergreen, so you lose all coverage in the winter months (and late fall/early spring). Bringing in some evergreens planted in front and mixed with some deciduous shrubs would be lovely while serving your purpose.

One note on electric fences: they are terrific, but if there is something outside them that excites your dogs to the point of running out to chase whatever (which does happen), they will not be able to get back into your yard once they are calm again.

The invisible fence works really well for my two dogs (both hunting breeds with huge pray drives). I worked with them a lot and they are both attached to me at the hip. The only time either one of them have gone through the invisible fence was when I was outside of the fence. They knew they were going to get shocked, stood at the fenceline and barked and barked and then yelped as they broke through the fence to get to me. Even when I am charging their collars they don't go through the fence.

As the summer progressed the forsythia got tall enough to cover the fence. I am still looking for something that I can plant around the back of the pine trees that will hide that part of the fence and eliminate having to mow the 2' strip of grass behind the trees.

Does anyone know anything about Japanese Plum Yew?

It's sad when neighbors don't start off on the right foot. I have to say that the fence is gorgeous imho and extra nice that it matches the shed. Also it's surprisingly very expensive to install those panels. Sometimes neighbors offer to share the expense and expand it to both properties for mutual benefit.

If the holes return, you could plug up the open spaces with native ornamental grasses.

Yews are slow growing. The advantage of Japanese Plum Yew is that it is regarded as the only Yew that deer don't gobble down. You can try boxwoods. They might be boring but they're evergreen, shade tolerant, and deer never eat them.

I'm really liking Doug's designs if you're up for planting a lot.

I suggest letting the forsythia grow naturally. It will be tall enough to hide even the shed and will also arch gracefully. Only prune it by removing the oldest canes at the base. It will be more attractive and accomplish what you want.

Sorry about the crabby lady!