Bay Laurel is also a very nice Mediterranean choice, easy to grow, hedge, plus the benefit is using the leaves in cooking. Grows reasonably fast, drought resistant after establishing. Another very Mediterranean option are some of the very, very lovely dwarf olive tree cultivars out there. Most are non-fruiting. A nice choice is Little Ollie Dwarf Olive by Monrovia (Olea europaea 'Montra'). It just doesn't get more Mediterranean than that. Very lovely look, pretty dense, and would look lovely with your fountain. I just love this plant, it is gorgeous, I have several on my property. Can't speak more highly of this plant. The video below says he's seen fruit, mine have never fruited, and I have TONS of olive trees on my property, many other cultivars for cross pollination opportunities. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-oOlXBVrB1A Agree with everyone to check your codes in your area, and any CC&R's you might have in your development as well. Patty S.

I'm doing the same "hide a fence" thing presently. If you want really cheap, fast and evergreen, you can use any of the cold hardy English Ivies in zone 6. I recommend 'Thorndale.' It's the hardiest with larger leaves for coverage. It's not invasive here in Utah and shouldn't be in PA either (but double check). I'm only using it because I have a very narrow planting area (12-inches). Most everywhere else I'm using 'American Pillar' Arborvitae (narrow, fast, dense, hardy and evergreen). It's cheaper than a privacy fence if you purchase starters and it's very fast growing for an arborvitae (up to 3' per year). However, it maybe overkill for what you want because it grows tall quickly (20' - 30'). You can find a cheaper Arborvitae for use as a shorter hedge. If you have a lot of snow on the ground during the winter, then you may just find a privet hedge will suite you fine. It's not evergreen from Christmas through March, but it's branches are pretty dense and no one's usually outdoors during that time anyway to really worry about it. However, unlike the 'American Pillar' Arborvitae, it'll need lots of pruning on both sides of the fence to keep in check. (My neighbor around the corner has it bordering the front of his property and it's a true beauty to behold. It would be my first choice except I need full privacy in the winter months due to my next door neighbor's windows being only a few feet from my windows and currently I have to keep my blinds closed all the time because they never do). Privet is super fast and cheap, but make sure to get the cultivar 'Cheyenne' as it is the most cold hardy variety. Those are your main options for cheap and fast, but their are a lot more options available for your area if you can move up in price and/or don't mind the speed. (ie. Hollies, Yews, Boxwoods, Firethorns, etc.). Good luck.

What's at the base of the rock wall? Sidewalk? Tearing out the root structures that are anchoring the hillside might compromise the strength of that wall. Is that wall contiguous with the two properties to either side of your house? If so, how do they have their sloped properties landscaped? Working on a steep slope is a job for the experienced landscape renovation crew. For now, get an identification of the upper shrub hedge and leave it in place until you put together several quotes from recommended landscape professionals and work up a budget. Yes, early fall is the better time for plant installations. If you're brave, take a long handled strong metal tined rake and see what's hiding under the pile of burlap. Might be as simple as an old tree stump. But, a pile of anything on the ground is a haven for critters and the snakes they attract.

Thanks for all these ideas! A couple of answers: Deer are not a problem. There are tons in the vicinity thanks to a lot of nearby nature, but our house is on a busy-ish street so in 20yrs we've probably had a deer on our lawn only a handful of times. We would like a hedge with some height. Our lot is small, houses here are mostly 8-10 feet apart, and our neighbors' driveway runs on the property line. Their house is unfortunately a DIY salvage job being used for AirBnB, which means the very small driveway is filled with cars. I'd like something that screens that view from my front door and windows and which will hopefully prevent their "guests" from using our front lawn as a turnaround! I'd rather spend money on greenery than on a fence! The photo below is from a house nearby and it's the general idea of what I'm aiming for.