For some reason my original post wouldn't let me post this photo, a distance shot taken in February. My neighbor has to trim this shrub fairly frequently to keep it this height - it seems to grow quickly.

Still Aucuba japonica. Tough as old boots. If I were you I'd let it grow through the fence to hide the chain link.

Thank you! I trimmed it back from the fence last year to get rid of some pernicious and annoying vines that had rooted underneath, but now that they seem to be gone I plan to let it come through to cover the fence. I wish my neighbor would let it grow even taller, as I like the privacy it provides.

Although it will tolerate sun, this is a great shrub for dry and even dense shade. In my climate this can grow to a significant size - 10'x10', depending on cultivar

Pretty easy to grow from cuttings if you like it and it likes your conditions. Or you might prefer one of the more colourful cultivars.

Great info, thank you both! I can get as many cuttings as I like, so perhaps I will try to root some on my side of the fence for more control over the height. The neighbor's plant is in an area that gets morning sun but afternoon shade due to the proximity of our houses, and though it's fairly damp there as well, it seems to be thriving.

We are finishing up a landscaping project that has left me with a nice 5-6' deep by 15' long bed next to this hedge, so I am planning to fill that bed with afternoon shade lovers (hydrangeas, itea and maybe PJM rhodies) and allow his hedge to poke through as a nice evergreen backdrop.