Hornbean trees Frans Fontaine Hornbeam; that is, if you are patient enough to wait for them to get past their almost awkwardly sparce canopy look for the first 5 years after planting. Fastigatia Hornbeam if after 15 years you do not mind it's crown starting its doubling or more of its crown spread. Ornamental Corinthian peach trees are nice trees, that grow in a narrow columnar shape, they have the most lovely spring blooms. The Bloom color varieties available in the Corinthian peach culitvar come in Pink, red, or white, each of those also display dynamic leaf color changes throughout progression of the yearly growing seasons. Another tree, I like a lot to line a driveway is the Degroot's spire evergreen. It might be good to know that the degroot's spire evergreens I have found sold, are fairly expensive, due to their slow growth rate. In the right planting places where these trees will look the best, it is my opinion that the expensive pricing is well worth every penny that was charged for them. I am not certain if they would ever grow, tall enough to provide second story window privacy. If they did manage to grow that tall it would more likely take several decades, or longer. I planted my first two Degroot's Spires just less than three years ago, and they were first sold to me as 5-6 feet tall trees. Each cost just about $250. these trees had been field grown, balled and burlaped. their burlapped rootballs fit into 25 - 30 gallon sized nursey pots. The nursery agreed to povide free delivery, if I would have the planting holes ready for them to simply remove the wire basket around the trees rootballs and drop the them into the planting hole. Only, also, if I would agree to take on the responsiblity to then back-fill the planting hole, and afterwards to keep the trees watered properly.

Hi sburke, On spot number 1, if there is a slope and it needs to stay at the same level, maybe just amend the soil in the area, put in some stepping stones to limit the compaction of the whole area and encourage the lawn to fill in (or put in the plants you have in mind). The main thing is to break up the compacted soil and prevent it in the future. On spot number 2, if you cannot go up, then you'll have to dig down. Are you looking for a border? Since the mower has to travel through, maybe sink some pavers a few inches down in the soil so that the mower can get over without bottoming out. Amend the soil and plant away! Pam

Hi sweeby - I think my quality of life would only be improved if I was sure to leave myself enough room to get out of the car since the fence would be on MY left! If it's too big a project to scoot over to the right a bit (e.g. if paving over a little bit of my yard is too big a project), then yes, it could end up not worth it. But they often park right next to me and I still manage to get out, albeit somewhat carefully. But I tell you, if building a fence *would* actually leave me room to get out easily, I would also love having a fence there (I'm now thinking only the length of my car or a bit longer...but I'm no longer thinking about the whole driveway yet just in case I can't terminate the easement - which I don't know yet)...because it would mean I wouldn't have to see them so much when in my front yard or sitting on my stoop. When I see them my hearts sinks. It's always very awkward. Even before the drama they never said hi. It's just yuck yuck yuck. They're the only ones cutting off noses (that would be MY nose - or my car's nose at any rate) I promise. ;)

If I may, I would suggest to build up the rock retaining wall along the driveway a couple levels higher, raising this you will start to level off for your patio. Adding steps on the narrow side will help break up the wall add another design element into your space and will help create a sense of depth to the narrow area. Plant tall vegetation along the street side of the property to provide privacy and create an a more intimate area. Add a stone retaining wall next to the fence but provide space for more vegetation to break up the fence from the house. Continuing the wall on the fence will help you lower the back side elevation to meet your driveway wall height and give you a nice flat space. To really make it feel and look great from the house continue the fence wall out into the patio area in a circular design on the uphill side to create a seat wall and define the area. Good luck!