Fast growing hardy evergreen hedge?

[Kittensgalore]

Just moved recently and front garden opens directly onto the pavement. South facing small flat square of grass. I want to plant a hedge at the front, ideally fast growing and evergreen to try and add some privacy. Any ideas? I don't know what the soil is like, needs to be hardy as winters are cold/wet/snowy!

Laurel.

Known as a thug. Will dominate whatever's around it.

There's a lovely Laurel hedge been planted near me, and an old Laurel hedge running down the side of my parents home for probably 50 years.

It's quite big though- thick. You may be better with several different plants that combine to make a screen rather than a dense hedge.

Thank you both, cherry Laurel was the one I had settled on when I did some research. Then today I was reading about bay Laurel, maybe less thug like but conditions here are not ideal, think I read that it doesn't like a cold wind. So that's probably out.

@picklemewalnuts I really like the idea of planting several different plants to make a hedge, any suggestions as to what would go with cherry laurels?

It's possible nothing will tolerate being that close, to be honest. I was thinking of different plants, making a screen rather than a hedge.

Laurel alone makes a good hedge, quickly- what space have you got to work with?

Portuguese laurel is smaller leaved and very handsome.

Cotoneaster lacteus makes a nice hedge. Lots of flowers and berries.

Thanks @picklemewalnuts

It's around 5 metre square, but may only plant at the front, so 5 metres. Just been reading about the Portuguese Laurel which apparently is really hardy and good for the north so perhaps that is the one to go for. Sounds like I would need 2-3 plants per metre. Might just be brave and go for it. Just worrying about planting something as significant as a hedge and all the plants dying on me or then wishing I'd planted something else.

@MrsBertBibby just saw your posts, thanks v much. I will have a look at cotoneaster, I would prefer something with flowers/berries but anything I've looked at either seems not as hardy as I perhaps need or very slow to grow. Will check it out now, thanks again!

@MrsBertBibby I love the look of the cotoneaster, that is exactly what I would love but I think ideally I need something that will grow taller. Will have a think and maybe do some measuring tomorrow to try and imagine what it would be like when fully grown.

Portuguese laurel flowers.

images.app.goo.gl/z9hZHLD4fZQXGSRS7

@MrsBertBibby that is beautiful, thanks so much, think the Portuguese is the one to go for!

Then today I was reading about bay Laurel, maybe less thug like but conditions here are not ideal, think I read that it doesn't like a cold wind.
It’d save you buying bay leaves for your cooking