Posted: 21/05/2013 at 12:03
You can also let the tree surgeon grind the stumps down completely and then plant a "hedge on stilts" of pleached hornbeams. They are ideal for a small garden also as they don't need much space at ground level. You can do the same with Red Robins (photinia I think they're called), we have them in the garden and they grow pretty fast. They can be trimmed as small trees or a hedge amd are evergreen.
We are also overlooked from all sides and i am trying a mixed approach:
On the left fence I planted honeysuckle ( I bought an evergreen hardy variety) which covers up the fence and makes the garden more homey, I plan to plant 2 more climbers like that on it to cover up all the fence (Clematis is good as well, don't go for Wisteria as it will be too big from what I can see on the picture).
For the patio I now bought a Bamboo in a pot which is enough, and in front I have planted the aforementioned Red Robins which will hopefully cover the fence in 3 years or so.
As hedges can dry the soil and it can be hard to grow plants close to them, they are not ideal for a small garden, hence I think the "hedge on stilts" idea would be great.