I need suggestions

[Alleycat]

I had to have some very out of control Hemlock bushes cut down. They were not maintained for decades prior to me purchasing the property. The bottom half were bare and they started to turn yellow and drop all their needles the last few years, leaving nothing but brown branches. I hated to do it but it had to be done. Now I have an empty property line which joins my neighbors yard but is separated by a chain link fence. I would like to get some ideas for a hedge preferable an evergreen shrub that I can plant in the spring to soften up the fence and give my backyard the privacy that I had before. I planted some arborvitae 2 years ago on my back property line but have not been happy cause they are growing so slow.

I looking for some ideas, not too expensive since I have to cover about 60 feet. I live in Northeast PA so whatever I plant must be cold hardy. The area get plenty of sun now that the hemlocks are gone. I would also like something to grow to about 8-10 feet so I can maintain them myself with out having to hire someone else to trim them.

Thanks

[TygrBright]

1. There are a number of buxus (box) and ilex (holly) species...

...that make fine hedges in the height range you specify. Most are evergreen and thus provide year-round privacy. A number of yews will also do well in your climate zone.

You need to be realistic in your expectations of a hedging shrub, though. In general, the "fast growers" are short-lived and have a tendency to legginess (the same problem you had with your hemlock.) Shrubs that form thick, long-lived, abundant hedges requiring little maintenance also tend to be slow-growing.

Your best bet is probably to go to a LOCAL nursery (not a local branch of some big chain) and discuss your needs with them. They'll have a better handle on what thrives in your area, what's readily available and inexpensive, etc. I give that (go to your local nursery) advice a LOT here, but by golly, it's true and I learned it the hard way, by making repeated mistakes and getting helped out with the recovery by local nurseries.

encouragingly,
Bright

[mitchtv]

2. you could, also plant

a fast growing vine on the chain link. My last place had a highway frontage. real noisy, I put honeysuckle on it and it covered in no time to a height of about 6'. I had to occasionally cut sports out of the row of trees behind it. There are several hibiscus ,syriacus,and a perennial that make good screens some roses too siberian even for the coldest parts.