Hello Moomin. Thank you for posting your query. A planting design takes time, weighing up the site, your style and maintenance. Year round structure for aesthetics as well as screening and privacy come first. Always a shame when planting is an afterthought after landscaping! However this is very common and I've had some experience of planting design commissions after landscaping has been done. My initial thoughts do not take into account many things which can't be conveyed in one photo provided here (as designers we take into account the various views within the garden amongst other things) but I will outline here a sketchy response to demonstrate some considerations. There have been some good suggestions made above. Jonathandb1972 has a good one, planting a carefully selected tree, so the canopy softens (but not hides) the view of the conservatory behind. Olive could be an option but depends on the aspect given that your a fellow Yorkshire resident! Alternatively there's Pyrus salicifolia, or Prunus lusitanica the latter responding particularly well to pruning to retain the size. Always talk to your neighbour about your careful choices and help them to understand that you've considered maintenance.... And the benefit of planting for them! For best results a planter at least 50cm deep and nearly as much wide to help a tree flourish. Deeper would be better. Keeping a collection of containers of the same/similar material would unify the view. Perhaps allowing a climber up the adjacent wall which faces you when descending the steps? A third container might fit in the corner in front of the downpipe? Although the dimensions of space available would determine if this is possible. The dark colour of the fence is receding and also provides a lovely neutral colour to show off the foliage of the specimen. A very rough sketch is shown here in a version of your photo below. I've just done it on the iPad so is a bit rough and ready. In order to avoid the tree becoming too much of a focal point (you're trying to avoid looking at the building behind) a bold evergreen plant to the left corner next to the steps would draw your eye within the garden. This could then be balanced out with another one to the right of the tree or possibly one up the steps against the fence. This all depends on scale and space available. This would be my first draft concept but might well come to a different response when seeing the garden for real. Happy planting!

Hi Sarah, for a pop of colour have a look at our Wall Art. Or as you're keeping the classic look of the house have a look at our wooden dream catcher wall clock. If you have any questions about these please let us know. Thanks :)

Looks nice. You can buy pots from Wilkos at a reasonable price, or on eBay. Plastic is the cheapest option but just make sure they are big and have holes in the bottom. Fill them with compost and add some shrubs, something like bamboo, Japanese maples or Fatsia japonica. Really most shrubs do well if the pot is big enough. Keep it well watered, daily if it is hot and sunny. For a bit of colour pot up some roses too. It will make a huge difference.

thanks for your comments, I was worried about continuing the cream theme incase it doesn’t match well..the fence up is a cream with a yellow tinge to it so not the easiest to match. I was thinking about a dark brown colour like Cuprinol seasoned oak? Then I’m not sure what colour for the planters. does a darker fence make your garden look bigger or smaller? thanks, Louise