Low maintenance tall plants/small tree suggestions for privacy along garden fence?

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Total plant novice here so in need of some help!

Just stripped back some smallish conifers from our back fence that previous owners planted. Problem is now it looks a little too open and we’d like something to break it up a bit and add a bit of privacy from neighbours behind us.

Our garden is wide and shallow so the conifers took up too much space and also were too time consuming maintenance wise for us.
I’m thinking a tall type of plant might be better as opposed to trees?

-One that grows straight up and doesn’t climb
-slow growing so we’re not constantly pruning it (we wouldn’t want it higher than 6/7ft max)
-evergreen
-baby/dog friendly so no berries, thorns etc

The fence gets most sunlight late afternoon/evening and not bothered if it needs to be in the ground or a pot.

From a very quick Pinterest search I quite like the whispy inoffensive look of bamboo but google tells me it’s fast growing so not sure if that’s even worth considering.

Any suggestions from the gardening experts of MN will be greatly appreciated- thank you!

Bamboo is a good choice.

If you put it in the soil the roots need to be fenced off - so best done by a professional.

You can keep them in pots (I do) and repot every 4-5 years into bigger pots. They are low maintenance and only need a lot of water.

Yes to bamboo - mine have stayed in containers

You can buy non-invasive bamboo.

You could plant some pleached trees - they are expensive but look very good.

www.themiddlesizedgarden.co.uk/how-increase-garden-privacy/

www.themiddlesizedgarden.co.uk/the-8-best-perfect-for-privacy-garden-trees/

these links are really good for thinking about how to create a lacy effect of privacy rather than a block effect. I've gone for a deciduous tree planted away from the fence in order to create an airy effect. In the winter the privacy isn't so important as we won't be in the garden as much.

@BarbInCarriage That's an excellent article - thanks for the link.

Thanks everyone for your helpful suggestions! Good to know bamboo could still be an option, thanks for the planting advice @TeenTitan007
And thanks @BarbInCarriage for the articles with suggestions, I’m going to look into them all

@BarbInCarriage

www.themiddlesizedgarden.co.uk/how-increase-garden-privacy/

www.themiddlesizedgarden.co.uk/the-8-best-perfect-for-privacy-garden-trees/

these links are really good for thinking about how to create a lacy effect of privacy rather than a block effect. I've gone for a deciduous tree planted away from the fence in order to create an airy effect. In the winter the privacy isn't so important as we won't be in the garden as much.

Great read those links!

On bamboo, have to say I've seen it grown in pots many times but rarely looking good. But maybe be posters upthread have found the knack. Water I'm sure is key.

As someone whose garden is slowly being encroached by next doors bamboo, be careful about planting it in the ground. They planted what they thought was non-spreading but it is slowly spreading, and it grows ludicrously high.

Yep, we managed to dig out a clump our idiot predeccessors put in, but it had already escaped and keeps popping up, and we can see it adding to next door's crazy jungle.

@WobblyLondoner - indeed, mine looks healthy and happy but it doesn't grow very tall (beyond 7-8ft) like I have seen it grown when it's in the ground. I am happy with the height given the risks of putting it in the ground.

Those growing bamboo in pots - how big are the pots? I'm thinking of using a half barrel for some black bamboo.

The wrong type of bamboo can be as invasive as Japanese knot weed. It can grow a couple of inches a week in the correct conditions, damp and warm. It seeks water so will grow towards drains and water pipes/outlets. Be really careful and research the one you are buying if you intend to ground plant it.