Have you considered espalier trees? They offer a lot of privacy from a young age and look stunning. Carpinus betulus keeps its leaves in winter and can be trimmed like a hedge.
We have fruit espaliers (apple, pear, plum) Deciduous, but stunning when in bloom!
It's a slightly odd combination, those three, IMO. Most conifers are very slow growing too, unless it's leylandii, which you really don't want, so I'd agree with @bertrand-mabel. It won't be a quick solution. Photinias need quite specific conditions to thrive too, or they look dire for large parts of the year. They need sun, enough moisture but good drainage, and warmth. They really don't do well in cold, wet areas - covered in leaf spot, and drop foliage readily.
I'm not sure why you really need them all to be evergreen. You'd still have a good framework of branches in winter with deciduous trees [and there are plenty to choose from] when you aren't out in the garden much anyway, and all of them would be more attractive for the rest of the year. You can also extend the interest by having loads of spring bulbs under and around them, which you couldn't really do with conifers and photinias.
Just my thoughts though
It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
Are you sure? Those cordyline can look really tatty as the lower leaves dry and go brown. Maybe they look good if we'll - grown but I've never seen one.
Head spinning lol, too much choice for a newbie. Back to basics, as you can see by the photo on the previous page I need trees to about a height of 13 foot. This is because from upstairs we are overlooking the neighbours house quite invasively. I just want 3 / trees that look great / pretty. The reason I want evergreen is because of the upstairs overlooking issue ... but I just dont know what 3/4 tree combination to choose. Maybe have 3 or 4 of the same tree? I dont mind paying out for a tree thats been grown a bit. Help me fill the space ! :-) :-)
I don't want to rain on your parade, but buying mature specimens isn't great if you don't have the ability and knowledge to care for them. They are far more difficult to establish than smaller specimens. Certainly, choosing several of the same tree is a very good way of getting an attractive boundary, but I don't think evergreens are necessary for the situation. The trick of planting something halfway or two thirds of the way down the plot [as already suggested] is an old design trick, as you don't need such a tall specimen either, so that's definitely worth considering. One of the previously mentioned Prunus with a broad canopy would be perfect for that. How much time are you really spending looking out from the upstairs balcony?
It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
How long do you spend looking out of your upstairs window? I would be more inclined to choose plants that look good at ground level. Choose two or three trees that will give you pleasure rather than choosing them to screen a view that you would only notice now and again. Open, deciduous trees would break up the view and would,in my opinion, be better than a solid wall of foliage
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C. australis is the bog standard green one.
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
Most conifers are very slow growing too, unless it's leylandii, which you really don't want, so I'd agree with @bertrand-mabel. It won't be a quick solution.
Photinias need quite specific conditions to thrive too, or they look dire for large parts of the year. They need sun, enough moisture but good drainage, and warmth. They really don't do well in cold, wet areas - covered in leaf spot, and drop foliage readily.
I'm not sure why you really need them all to be evergreen. You'd still have a good framework of branches in winter with deciduous trees [and there are plenty to choose from] when you aren't out in the garden much anyway, and all of them would be more attractive for the rest of the year. You can also extend the interest by having loads of spring bulbs under and around them, which you couldn't really do with conifers and photinias.
Just my thoughts though
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
Certainly, choosing several of the same tree is a very good way of getting an attractive boundary, but I don't think evergreens are necessary for the situation.
The trick of planting something halfway or two thirds of the way down the plot [as already suggested] is an old design trick, as you don't need such a tall specimen either, so that's definitely worth considering. One of the previously mentioned Prunus with a broad canopy would be perfect for that.
How much time are you really spending looking out from the upstairs balcony?
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
I would be more inclined to choose plants that look good at ground level.
Choose two or three trees that will give you pleasure rather than choosing them to screen a view that you would only notice now and again. Open, deciduous trees would break up the view and would,in my opinion, be better than a solid wall of foliage