Over the last few years our neighbours have cut back most of the mature trees and shrubs along the boundary with our garden- fair enough, its their garden, the planting there was quite dense, and most of the sunlight comes into their garden comes from that side. However it does mean we've lost some of the privacy we previously had. I was wondering if any clever MNers could suggest some airy plants that I could grow there, that would reach about 6-8 feet. I didn't want anything too dense as I've had their sort of garden previously and I feel their pain! I know that seems a little bit of a contradiction in terms, but I'm not worried about obliterating all sense of our neighbours around us- I just don't want to have to make eye contact when I go outside to put the washing out!
I know something like bamboo would be the obvious choice, but ideally I'd like something a bit more 'English country garden'.
If possible I'd also prefer something that's not too fast growing- much as I enjoy pottering in the garden and am happy to maintain it, I don't really want something that's so rampant that I've got to be cutting it back every few weeks, particularly as its quite a long garden. I've got a fair bit of space to fill so please do feel free to hit me as many suggestions as you can think of- I might find homes for quite a few! Luckily this side of the garden is absolutely basking in sunshine come the summer, which hopefully might help too.