We have a mixed 6 foot deciduous hedge (30 feet long) at the front of the
house which makes a great screen from the road in the summer. Problem is it
turns transparent in the winter as the leaves drop. Not sure of the plants
but one I think is Blackthorn (has Sloe Berries) and another might be
hawthorn or similar?

I have considered digging it up and replacing with a fast-growing evergreen
(privet or similar) but I realise that is going to be huge effort and will
probably take some years to get back up to 6 foot.

We have a restriction from building fences or walls so I was wondering if
there are other alternatives such as growing an evergreen climber such as
ivy to climb through and over so the evergreen climber provides the screen
in the winter? Will this tend to smother and kill off the hedge or is it
feasible?

any ideas

regards

Peter