The best conifer for a hedge?

[hostman]

Hello,

One of our next door neighbours is taking out a load of hedges and trees planted up against their fence (fence is only 3 feet high on this side), resulting in our garden being less private on one side. I rather liked the privacy they provided and so want to plant something along the fence on our side to regain it.

Ideally something that reaches no more than 6-7 feet and requires minimal maintenance.

Here's some pics of what's on the other side:

[img]https://www.smithfamilypics.co.uk/d/2126-2/IMG_0747.JPG[/img]

[img]https://www.smithfamilypics.co.uk/d/2129-2/IMG_0748.JPG[/img]

Some of these along the now exposed side would be good, is there an expert in the house able to identify the type by the pic?

Exposed side:

[img]https://www.smithfamilypics.co.uk/d/2132-2/IMG_0749.JPG[/img]

[cynthia_h]

It looks like a variety of juniper (Juniperus spp.) to me. There are tons of varieties for the home gardener, however; check with a local nursery by taking a cutting with you to ask them the likely variety.

Cynthia H.
Sunset Zone 17, USDA Zone 9

[MaineDesigner]

Yew (Taxus sp.) and hemlock ( Tsuga sp.) tend to be the conifers best suited for hedge use because they can break new growth on old wood but I know next to nothing about your growing conditions so don't take that as a blanket recommendation. Cephalotaxus sp. might also be a viable option of you. Woody plant species generally continue to grow as long as they are alive, although some much more slowly than others, so there isn't much that will "reach no more than 6 - 7 feet" given enough time.