They cut YOUR hedges?? Do you know why they did it? I would hesitate to re-plant for fear that they would chop down again. How long a driveway are you talking about? To replace with 5-6 foot shrubs will be an expensive undertaking, plus the labor involved in removing the existing shrubs. Can you post a pic of what you have? The neighbor may have done you a favor. With proper pruning of existing hedge in future, it may make sense to keep what you have.

So after careful review, it looks as those the roots and base of the hedges are on my neighbors property (by mere inches) so I would assume that even though branches cross into my property I have no recourse for their cutting. They may be boxwood and not privet but I am curious if anyone knows the growth rates for each.

I do not have enough space along my side of the now cut hedges to plant anything new (my driveway is close to them) so I will probably be stuck with whatever growth comes back (hopefully fast but anyone who can weigh in on growth rates would be very helpful).

I have some places elsewhere that I can plant to provide portions of my backyard with some added privacy.

Two in particular that I would welcome recommendations:

One is a strip about three or four feet wide and 12 to 15 feet deep where I could plant something (this would add privacy to the back portion of my property and connect two existing plant beds (tulips, holly and black eyed susan on on side and hydrangeas on the other). Does anyone thing an evergreen like an arbor vitae might be good for a narrow strip like that between two other plant beds? Or would some kind of flowering/colorful shrub (forsythia?) work well in an area like that?

The second is on my deck, where I would like to put two large pots along one side to add some privacy. I could take them inside for the winter or leave them out. Ideally I'd want something fairly tall and thick to add some privacy. Any suggestions for large potted plants that can create some privacy?

Thanks for all of the help.