I like my Elaeagnus ebbingei, Silverberry.
Description from Forest Farm- http://71.18.156.27/search/closeup.asp?PlantID=eleb037

The grey-grn leaves of this 9'shrub are silvery below & speckled with silvery scales above, making them sparkle in sun; EG in milder climates.S-PSh/M
Leaf Retention : Semi Evergreen
Growth: Medium growth
Uses: Fra,Hon,B&W
Hardiness : -10 to 0F
Habit: rounded

Mine is over my head. It is always attractive but might need to be cut back a little. It has flowers that waft fragrance and can have edible berries but I haven't seen any on mine. I did see some on one in Seattle.

If it didn't have to be evergreen I would grow Aronia. It is also tough and vigorous, dense, and bears very healthful berries in clusters that ripen all at the same time to make harvesting a dream. I have Viking. A 100 ft row of it would be a lot of fruit! I understand it is a crop that will be in demand, though.

Here's another evergreen I just bought this year in a band so I can't really say much about it yet-

http://71.18.156.27/search/closeup.asp?PlantID=ilhe103

Illicium henryi CHINESE ANISE SHRUB EG Description :
An uncommon & attractive med-sized shrub with glossy leathery leaves & pink to bright rose-colored flowers which are fragrant.S/M/acid with some peat
Leaf Retention : Evergreen
Growth: Medium growth
Uses: Fra lvs
Hardiness : -10 to 0F
Origin: W.China

And another species from which comes Star Anise-
http://71.18.156.27/search/closeup.asp?PlantID=ilan100

Illicium anisatum Description :
Part of a "small group of outstanding EGs with unusual, many-petalled flowers, this medium-large aromatic shrub" (Hillier) has thick glossy leaves and yellow flowers to 1" across. Sun-Psh/Med
Leaf Retention : Evergreen
Growth: Medium growth
Uses: Fra lvs
Hardiness : -10 to 0F
Origin: Japan

Ceanothus impressus 'Victoria' -- evergreen, tight leaves with beautiful blue flowers, prune right after flowering, can be shaped into awesome hedge. Needs warmth, good drainage but rain or watering the 1st 3 years, sun but not exposed on a really windy area. Google it -- fast-growing bush, gets big with maturity and good pruning for shape every summer after blooming.

Thank you both- I had thought about both Elaeagnus and Ceanothus, but didn't know anyone who had had experience with either. Thanks too for the links to forestfarm.com - great site with good prices!

What about a Pieris shrub? There are many different varieties, they have beautiful flowers, love sun, evergreen, drought tolerant and are very easy to find here in the Puget Sound.

Here is a link that might be useful: Ed Hume's Favorites

A dwarf bamboo?

What you need to do is get the "brush" under control and then plant what meets your requirements in other respects. Herds of goats are being used to clear out shrubs on fire-prone southern California hillsides, these animals do quite a bit of damage in a short time. Tethered goats have been available for hire in this area in the past, I've seen the term Rent-a-Goat used for instance.

If you are really way out in Zone 7 you will need something hardier than ceanothus. Illicium and pieris are not drought tolerant, in fact part of the wild range of Pieris japonica includes very wet high parts of Yaku island, same habitat of the "Yak" rhododendron. Pieris is also quite slow growing, likely to be overwhelmed - but again, you need to get the aggressive plants beaten back whatever you plant. And you will have to provide for adequate irrigation, even drought tolerant subjects need to be kept watered at first.

Sunset Western Garden Book table of plants for hedges and screens may be of interest. It's in the plant selection guide section near the front.

I like Myrica californica and Rhamnus alaternus, but if you are really in Zone 7 these may be hurt during some winters.

Here is a link that might be useful: WASHINGTON USDA Hardiness Zone Map

With the exception of "grow quickly", Prunus lusitanica would fit the bill quite nicely. Once it becomes tall enough, it will bloom and fruit if parts are kept unpruned for a season or more. Google this plant, you might find it to something you like.

-Brian

Seeding out too much now for additional planting to be a good idea. Didn't used to see it growing wild much, but not anymore.

"It thrives in our climate, and comes up wild, especially in woods, just like its more familiar cousin ENGLISH LAUREL..."

--Jacobson, Wild Plants of Greater Seattle