How about gardenias? I have them as a screen along a fence line to screen out dh's JUNK he's got stashed away out in the edge of the woods! LOL Mine have grown quite fast and they bloom, sporadically, again in the fall. And they're evergreen.

variegated privet grows fast and tall. should give you a nice screen in just one season. it has a wispy light look, likes the sun, can be pruned, shaped as you like. they are also cheap, can buy 1 gal. pots at walmart, etc. for about $4 dollars....good luck!

Variegated privet is ligustrum sinense which is a cultivar of an invasive plant in the southeast. The variegated form does produce berries and revert back to the non-variegated (most invasive form).

Please do not recommend this plant. You have only to google the terms "chinese privet invasive" to find two thousand sites about it. It is on Mississippi's top ten list for invasive plants. It is on Louisiana's list also.

I would think that 'Little Gem' magnolias mixed with Gardenias would make a nice fragrant hedge. The 'Little Gem' is a small (15'-20'tall) upright magnolia which is very floriferous (it flowers alot, lol, I like it when I can use big, hard to say words). Osmanthus fragrens or Sasanqua camelias are others which will make a nice clipped hedge.

I think you need to ask the landscape professionals on advice about plants that won't crack the driveway.

The Little Gem with gardenias sound nice and I wouldn't think they would crack the driveway, but better to be sure.

Vareigated privet, in additon to being invasive, gets huge and would have to be pruned often during the growing season
unless you want a 12' round and high, shrub.

I wouldn't go with the gardenias. They are pretty fussy. Leaves turn yellow and drop, and white flies love them. Have you considered Holly?

The leaves turning yellow on gardenias is caused by a lack of magnesium in the soil which is easily remedied by sprinkling 1tblespoon per foot of plant height of epsum salts (magnesium sulphate)around the drip line of the shrub. Klein's hardy gardenia are not as fussy as say August beauty, and yes, if left untreated the white flies will become a problem.

Camelias or Burford Holly. Gardenias can be great, can be a PITA.

There is a whole lot more to yellow leaves on gardenias than just magnesium deficiency. Other causes of yellowing/leaf drop include root rot, nematodes, and drought.

Additionally, yellowing of the leaves on gardenias is a natural process as the plants shed their inner leaves. Evergreen does not mean that a plant maintains leaves indefinitely.

I'm looking at somewhat the same thing. I didn't want a fence, but each of my neighbors put one up. So instead of completing the fence, I've decided to go with tiny tower dwarf italian cypress. They grow slow, but wind up 6-10 feet tall. They are about 3 feet diameter in spread. I've got a friend who did this in TN 5 years ago and now they have grown together quite well and truly complete his manicured lawn.

Here is a link that might be useful: HGTV link (see middle)

I wouldn't consider any of those options if you want immediate results. All of those shrubs are slow growers and are fussy. You could go with cleyera. It has a nice foliage and likes Southern climates. You could go with pittisporum for a variegated look. It also won't crack your driveway or scratch children and cars. You may want to consider native youpons like the dwarf varieties for holly hedges. I would go with antique roses and daylilies if the light is bright. You'll get a look that is more typical of a Southern home. Russian Olive works well too, if don't mind the thorns.

Be careful with Pittosporum if you have a deer problem, they love them. There is nothing as good as dwarf youpon! It is hardy, tough nice growth habit. I had compacta holly that got root rot and replaced them with dwarf youpon and even though I transplanted them from other spots and one looked dead when I transplanted it, it has bounced back in an amazing way. Highly recommend this shrub for southern gardens, particilarly on the coast.

I must do some research on the privets though. The ones I have have never been an invasive problem. In fact, I could use a few more of them since I like the foliage, but have had no volunteer plants.

Pauline in Wilmington NC

How about Skyrocket Juniper (Juniperus 'Skyrocket')?

Makes a great hedge in full sun, 15 ft. tall, 18" wide.

Or Thuja occidentalis 'Emerald' about same hieight but 3 ft. wide.

How about California Lilac, it grown quickly into a hedge and the little lilac flowers smell beautiful and will bring much needed Bees to the Garden.