lol, Yes, it's never fast enough when dealing with neighbors. I put off doing anything to this side of the yard because I thought they would build there last. So I focused on the other fence line. Well, wouldn't you know they are building right where I have nothing planted first. Argghhh. I just love my privacy, so I'm anxious to get something up. And privacy fence is just not in my budget right now. I have one rhodedendron now, but it's not doing very well. Maybe because we have so many trees. And they are mostly maples. I put an acid stake in it awhile back hoping it would perk up, but still hasn't yet. I thought I heard they like acidic soil. Does that sound right? NancyAnn, I looked into gunnera a couple weeks ago. They had it clearanced at Springhill, but it said it's not hardy to zone 5. I was so excited to get it til I realized that. If anyone has any experience though with growing it in zone 5 or if there is a hardy variety, please let me know. You know, I never even thought of hydrangeas. That would be really pretty and would definitely brighten things up. How tall do they get? I think I may just try that. Dusty, if Hiam has some extras, I'd love it!! I've done alot of areas in lattice fence panels and love it for climbing stuff. But it's a pretty big area and I think it would cost more than I can afford right now. I'll have to look at the vibirnums too. I just got some rose of sharons for another area at Lowe's the other day for 3 bucks each. And they are at least 2 feet tall. Maybe they'll have some clearanced hydrangeas or vibirnums also. Thanks for the great ideas everyone! Gives me some hope that something will grow there. lol. Even if it's not fast enough. :) T

I consider Thuja Green Giant the absolute best choice for fast growing privacy. They do get big, both tall and wide, but if you plant them as a hedge, say 6ft apart, that does slow down their height a bit. If you want something not as tall, than it can't be fast growing. Trees never stop growing, so if they are fast growing now, they will continue to grow fast in 10 years. You can sheer them to contain the size, but it depends on how much work you want to do and how high you can allow them to grow.

YYour systems need fresh air to be efficient. If units blowing up a tree do not need to block air flow or it with return back to the system MFG rule of thumbs if units is 36" tall at less 36" from ANY plants ( but being a service tech. We love dirty unit and lack for air flow "SERVICES CALL" OF DIE SYSTEMS. UNIT THAT CANNOT GET FRESH AIR TAKE AWAY EFFICIENT. COST YOU MORE MONEY ON YOUR LIGHT BILL. TREE SHADING UNITS MEAN ON RAIN TO HELP CLEAN THE COILS. COVER UNIT NO ROOM TO WORK ON OR TO WASH THIS UNIT WILL PUMP THE OIL OUT OF THE COMPRESSOR :) MONEY :) TO MAKE. PS IF NEW SYSTEM THIS WILL VOID ANY MFG WARRANTY.

hello i think i can sort you out ...here in the UK we're pack in like sardines so that problem is not unusual..you can buy ready to go hedges that start at that fence height with bare trunk under fence level...to get idea look up euro plants UK