QUESTION: I want to soften the stark look of a neighbor's new stockade-type fence along their property line with some plantings on my side of the fence.The fence faces predominately west and gets some full and some filtered afternoon sun.I think I would like evergreen plants that mature at about 4 to 5 feet tall.ANSWER: You get extra credit for recognizing that it is the mature size of the plant that counts. One of the biggest mistakes people make is to plant something that grows too tall or two wide for the space they've got. This results in undesirable pruning that keeps the plant from looking its best.However, I understand that a desire to have the landscape look full and mature is behind setting out plants too close together.There is a wealth of great evergreens maturing in the 4 to 6 foot range to choose from and a mix of things, including some needle-leaf conifers could be very interesting. The conifers now come in an amazing array of exciting colors, including some yellow-green ones that really light up a landscape.There are quite a few to choose from. Look at the labels carefully, particularly for the height.Among the broad-leaf evergreens (or nearly evergreen), several come to mind that might be great for this hot exposure. When you describe it as having filtered sun, I hope that means the worst of the summer afternoon sun is blocked.Here are some choices for you to look in the garden centers:• Edward Goucher abelia — This great abelia blooms summer into fall.• Encore azaleas — These are showing up in more and more colors and mature heights.• Landscape roses — Knock Outs and others in the new class of landscape roses are proving their worth