Planting suggestions for privacy

[annonymousnamechange]

Hi, looking for suggestions for some boundary/privacy cover. I inherited some evergreens on the edge of my drive (plant id suggests Dawson cypress) which are great for providing cover but are a PITA to maintain. They look really patchy, are too tall for me to prune and the roots are lifting slabs on the drive. I'd love to replace them with something that's fairly fast growing but no where near as tall and easier to maintain. Abd also dense yo guve a level of cover. Does such a thing exist and any suggestions? Thank you!

I'd go for a fence (I like the woven, willow ones) and train plants to grow on it. I'd go for Va creeper (autumn colour) and a rambling rose or clematis for spring/summer.
This will be low maintenance and will also avoid roots lifiting your driveway.

I wonder if black elderberry (sambuca nigris) might suit. We have one and cut it back hard every year as otherwise it would be huge but even so it takes over the space very quickly.

I love my bay hedges. I prune them once a year.

There is no such thing as a fast growing tree or hedging plant that doesn't get tall. Fast growing things carry on growing fast, it is in their DNA.

I would suggest that you get rid of the old stuff entirely, including the stumps and plant a beech hedge. It will take several years to fill out, but they are much better for nature, and take well to pruning. They keep their leaves over winter as well.

Thanks everyone, will look at the suggestions. Unfortunately a fence isn't an option but hopefully will find an alternative option

Thanks everyone, will look at the suggestions. Unfortunately a fence isn't an option but hopefully will find an alternative option.

I’d have a hawthorn hedge, its native feeds the birds, smells amazing and deters intruders!

Forgot to add it has flowers and hips too, Not very fast growing, though sorry

Laurel? Evergreen. Birch hedging, keeps leaves over winter for privacy, fresh spring growth, annual prune to whatever height you need.

Photenia. Fast growing and evergreen but incredibly easy to prune.