Forsythia, Ninebark/Physocarpus, panicle hydrangea such as 'Limelight', Variegated red-twigged dogwood (few flowers, but the leaves provide similar interest plus colored branches during the winter).

z5 is half the US... we need a little more specificity ...

contact the county SOIL CONSERVATION DISTRICT OFFICE ...

hedges in farmland areas.. IS soil conservation ... they will have lists of plants that you can use ... and many have annual plant sales.. to sell what they recommend ...

ken

Kerria japonica can make a good attractive hedge. Yellow flowers in summer. And there's one with variegated foliage

Realistically, there are many more interesting shrubs than I've suggested, but without some indication of where you are and/or what your soil is like, you are not necessarily going to get the best suggestions for your area. I gave you a list that will grow in most parts New England or the midwest/Great Lakes, but if you are in New England or some parts of the Great Lakes that have acid soil, there is a large group of shrubs that prefer acid soil with good drainage and a relatively high organic content that will add some additional interest.

Another few that will grow over a wide range of z5:

Philadelphus/mock orange

Syringa/lilac

Ilex verticillata/winterberry holly (deciduous)

Some of the taller spireas such as Vanhoutei

Some of the larger Chaenomeles/flowering quince

Kolkwitzia/Beautyberry

Lespedeza thunbergii/bush clover

Some of the Viburnums such as plicatum

Be aware that regardless of what you plant, in order to have a successful hedge you will need to kill the grass over a wide strip so that it doesn't shade out or compete with the shrubs, you will need to mulch the new shrubs well to help even out moisture and reduce weeds, and you will need to water thoroughly at least once a week unless there's been 1/2"-1" of rain that week from whenever you plant until the leaves drop in the fall. Fall planting will make this easier since you will need to water for a shorter period of time. If you aren't able to commit to this, I'd not plant until you are living there or at least able to visit regularly since you will probably just waste the money spent since the newly shrubs won't survive without regular care.

We are in SW IA.

What kind of bush is this? I found it via google but it doesnt say what it is..

NHbabs I love your pics!

Can't tell for sure, but they might be PJM or Olga Mezitt, two relatively similar small-leafed rhododendrons. This is where a soil test becomes important. Reading a bit tells me that most soils in IA are between 5.5 and 7.5 with some as low as 4.5 and some as high as 8.2; 7 is neutral with lower numbers being acid and higher numbers being alkaline. Rhododendrons need fairly acid soils somewhere in the 4.5-6 range, along with a whole lot of other plants, so they won't be healthy if planted in alkaline soil, and will die. For shrubs it isn't practical to try to change the soil pH, though it can be done for annual crops such as veggies and farm crops which are tilled every year by adding lime or sulfur. Here's info on getting a soil test done in Iowa including links on how to take samples. You would want the one for horticultural crops, turf and lawn (long-term perennial plants) rather than field crops (annual plants). When you get the test results back, then you can post it to get info on whether rhododendrons would be reasonable to try in your soils.

Regardless, since rhododendrons are broad-leafed evergreens, you may not find that they do well in an open area if you have a lot of wind. Mine all get some shelter from wind and /or sun in winter so that they don't get winter burn. So if you have acid soil, you may want to plant these where they will get some winter shade and wind protection from your home when it is built and use other plants for the hedgerow.

Since I linked the pictures on another thread, here is a link in this thread (so anyone reading knows what you are referencing.)

Thanks for your help nhbabs!!

Thanks for adding that. I have only grown them here in our acid soil, so didn't think of them, but I first was introduced to them in Colorado which has more neutral or alkaline soil, so they should be fine in IA.