ChrisK, This is from a nursery's description of the NSH, they sound perfect for your requirements. Ideal selection for hedges and privacy screens Grows up to 3 ft. per year! Thrives on neglect YouÂll appreciate how these holly trees stay deep green all year, unlike other hedge trees that can brown out during either the summer heat or mild droughts. Plant 5-6 ft. apart for a living wall that gives you complete privacy -- no holes or gaps. You control how they grow  whether naturally into a dense, pyramidal shape that matures at 15-25 ft., or pruned into a tall box hedge. They grow up to 3 ft. per year without pruning. When they reach the height you want, just clip off the leader. This will slow them down and make them thicken. These holly trees make perfect accents at the corners of your home, in the flower garden or entryway. The dark green foliage makes a great contrast to surrounding trees and shrubs. During the winter months you will enjoy the red berries against the deep green foliage. Clip some branches to decorate your home for the holidays. Bird watchers delight as these berries attract all kinds of wildlife!

Hi Alina, Congragulations on your new home. I feel the same way about a privacy fence. I think they are ugly in fact. I have the same problem you have, but I have chain link fences around my little rectangle yard, which means no privacy. I just ordered the Hydrangea quercifolina "Alice" today online. Hopefully it will max out at around 12 feet tall and 10 feet wide when mature. They are fast growers also. I am excited. On one long side I planted 4 Rose of Sharons real close to each other for a hedge effect, they grew about 2 feet last year, so I am looking forward to more growth this year also. I love the flowers on Rose of Sharons. On the other long side I planted 2 clumping bamboo plants that have not grown in height. They are slow growers til they are around 4 or 5 years old. They look tropical and stay green in the winter. I was thinking about a holly also. They will stay green all winter too and they are pretty. I saw one I liked at Home Depo but they wanted 80.00 for it and it was small. Hollies are not fast growers at all. It will take many years til it is of a screen size for me. Home depo has Emerald Green Arborvitaes that are about 4 feet tall for 25.00 each right now. I think I might buy one of them also, but they grow REALLY slow. They don't get wide, just tall, (good for small yards). Good luck with your selection. Why don't you buy both, you only live once. I am looking forward to the worry of pruning and trimming my bushes and trees rather than living without any screen at all, if you know what I mean.

Sabwil, It sounds like you have a good location for an Ilex and although I donÂt want to discourage you it should be said that for the most part they are not considered a fast growing tree. American Holly Ilex opaca are native in my neck of the woods and likely yours as well, I have noted mine tend to have fewer insect problems than many other types of Ilex and tolerate the hardship of winter without snow cover and high winds. You might consider " Ilex opaca ÂMiss HelenÂ" or " Ilex opaca ÂSatyr HillÂ" Keep in mind selective pruning (not sheering) at the end of March will promote thickness while keeping a natural form. Ilex aquipernyi ÂRock Garden has done very well for me with no winter or insect damage after ten years, for this reason I would suggest Ilex aquipernyi ÂDragon LadyÂ" or " Ilex aquipernyi ÂSan JoseÂ" Ilex meserveae has proved to be a strong grower again with little susceptibility to insect damage, great darker leaf color and tolerates drier soil. I think " Ilex x meserveae ÂBlue StallionÂ" might meet your size requirement. " Ilex koehneana ÂJule Brite or ÂWirt L WinnÂ" are hard to find but well worth the search with large elegant leaves on a tidy formal tree. Please consider that these are just a few choices of Ilex that might be suitable for your spot so if none of the above fit the bill there are many other choices, best of luck. kt

Looks like a 'canker'. Although not common, they appear in the spring when it is moist/humid, sunny, and 40-50 degree days. Cut out affected stems, destroy stems and remove ANY debris. Disinfect your tools in a 10% alcohol solution after using any time so you don't spread the infection. Sanitary procedures are the only method of control.