Leycestria formosa, the Himalayan Honesuckle, either the plain green or the sunny golden leaved one. They grow tall and thick in the summer and have the amusing little dangly blossoms that turn into Chocolate scented berries. The stems look like bamboo when stripped of leaves. They freeze back in winter but quickly regrow.

Sorry I took so long to get back here and thank you. I love that plant! Have two Golden Lanterns in my backyard; they didn't come to mind when I was thinking of my porch. Thanks for suggesting them. They would look good with the nandina, too. Moved two columnar elderberry to the front porch and the dark green will contrast well -- when they grow some. Sea holly in front of Golden Lanterns leycesteria is a gorgeous combo.

Columnar elderberry?

bboy: Sambucus Nigra 'Pyramidalis'. Bought several from Forest Farm. Some doing well, some not; you know elderberries. Curious thing: planted 5 in a row along a fence, 4 feet apart. #1, 3 and 5 are over 5 feet tall. #2 and 4 still not a foot tall. Others in different location along the same fence are doing same type of thing - every other one is growing fast. Moved two of the little ones to the porch; see if they do better there.

Here's a photo - they are weird-looking.

Here is a link that might be useful: Davesgarden

Habit in that picture doesn't look much different from laciniata in my front yard.

Thomas (1992): 'Pyramidalis' and 'Pendula Erect and weeping forms of little garden value.

Hillier (2002): 'Pyramidalis' A form of stiff, erect habit, wider above than below; leaves densely clustered on the stems.

This is second summer for mine and they are just poles with lots of leaves tight to the trunk. Two of them flowered. I hope they will stay narrow and get tall. Love elderberries but I have killed alot of them.

I like forsythia for this kind of application because it grows fast, you can root it yourself so it's cheap. Also my sister planted zebra grass and it made a great screen in one season.

I have a great idea, variegated ceanothus. I had a few and they grew so fast and tall in front of a porch, I couldn't keep them. Just not the right spot for them, but if you want something to grow quickly to 6-8 feet, they're perfect. They are prunable. The variegated have pretty evergreen leaves and blue flowers in spring/summer.

HTH

Have lost two of the three ceanothus I planted in my yard and the third looks to be going that way, too.

I'd suggest a Princess Flower. Seems to take the heat darn well here in coastal NoCal.

Love ceanothus. Planning on putting one in a triangular area down the walk from the porch. It is kindof a mound, full blazing sun, drains fast. Have a ceanothus on other side of house, same growing condition (smoke tree thrives there). Bought it at Milwaukie Farmers Market a couple years ago and tag says "Ceanothus Vietchi". Never heard of that one. I am wondering how a red currant would do next to the porch. Are they slow growers?