To get some ideas, try your library for gardening and design books, or magazines with pictures of shrub borders, and see if you can pin down what look you like, how much time you want to spend on planning and design, and how much time you want to spend on maintenance and waiting for the plants to reach a size that will screen out the neighbors. Most grasses won't get tall enough, I think, to block the windows of the house next door. A hedge of all one kind of plant is easy to plan and plant, and depending on whether it needs trimming or can be left natural, maintenance will vary. If you need privacy in summer only, you can use a deciduous shrub, and one that flowers will give you a bonus in spring or summer. A mixed planting is more interesting to look at, but requires more planning and thought, as well as more space. It will look best if there is a mix of large and small shrubs layered with the smaller in the front, and a mix of textures, meaning large leaves and small. Mixing evergreen and deciduous shrubs will add interest, as will including a few plants that are interesting in winter. Colorful berries, evergreen foliage, colorful bark, etc. It depends on how involved you want to get in designing a planting. If you take your time and put some thought into it, you could end up with something that is beautiful to look at while it gives you privacy. Tour a local nursery with a notebook and ask questions. Take notes about plants that will do well in your location, which appears to be at least partly shaded for part of the day. You might want to observe the site for how long it's sunny and how long it's shaded so you choose appropriately. 6 hours or more is considered full sun.

Galinsoga parviflora, HAIRY GALINSOGA. Joe

The easiest way to ID weedy grasses is from the inflorescence, the seed producing stalk. Compare your weed to Dallisgrass, you could also try asking on the grasses forum or Name That Plant. Good luck!

You might want to visit a local plant nursery and talk to one of the landscape designers. Plants that repel mosquitos Here are some online planners: GenSun Casual Room sketcher Floor Planner