Should they go or should they stay?

I am hoping some of you may be able to help me. I purchased several ($500) Viburnum tinus Laurustinus from a local nursery, no specific cultivar. I was assured by nursery staff they would grow in full sun w/southern exposure, in my zone 5b to 15-20.' I was hoping for a fast-growing evergreen hedge as a privacy screen. When I got home, I realized the tag says they will grow only 6-12', and obviously I am very disappointed. A call to the nursery was largely not helpful, the owner repeated the 15-20', but every source I have seen (including Dave's Garden just lists 6-12', and of course there are no refunds. Anyone have any experience with these shrubs in the Seattle area? Your help/opinions would be most appreciated, I am ready to tear them all out if need be, I really need some privacy. I know some cultivars, ie Viburnum tinus Laurustinus French White, and V t Laurustinus lucidum can get 18-20' tall, but was told by the owner that this is just VtLaurustinus, can that be correct? Thanks in advance for any knowledge/opinions, I appreciate it!

The ones I see around here are regularly 4-5m tall, but I'd not call it partucularly fast-growing, maybe 20-25 years to reach that size.

Resin

Thanks Resin, that's what I'm afraid of.

I don't think ultimate height is going to be your problem, if you truly have zone 5b weather. This is a zone 8 or warmer plant.

You are more likely to have dead shrubs than just short shrubs. Go for getting your money back and look for a hardier evergreen plant.

Ya, under your name you say 8b in your post you say your in 5b? Which one? If your in 5b that is the wrong plant. In 8b, at least in the deep south those do grow pretty fast and high. Not sure they'll get 20 ft but maybe.

Can't think of anywhere in Seattle that would be zone 5b, I'm assuming 8b is correct.

Sorry for the confusion everyone, I am truly in zone 5b.

Is that zone 5b USDA or zone 5b Sunset Garden Book?

Seattle is zone 8 on the USDA scale; don't know about the Sunset.

Resin

Here is a bit of clarification: in Sunset, I am zone 5, in Better Homes and Gardens, I am in zone 7, the USDA map puts me in zone 8b. I am right on Puget Sound in Seattle, WA.

Since it doesn't appear that these viburnums are an appropriate choice, any thoughts on more appropriate fast growning, evergreens for my zone/zones? I really don't want to do Laurel or Photinia, I think they are way over-used in this area. Thanks again!

This would work. http://davesgarden.com/pf/go/1725/index.html or some other privet. Do you really need it 20Ft high? What exactly are you trying to block out? You on a hillside or something?

The privet get just like a fence and you can prune them all you want, very hardy. They grow fast too. Well you seem to want these grow 5 ft a year so maybe not fast enough for you. How about weeping willows? Their more like 40 ft but they'll grow fast and block what ever from sight. LOL, that's more a joke then a real idea.

Thought about it for a minute, red tips would do it but that's what their called around here not sure their real name. I'm sure you could find Bamboo that fit your needs. Then your into trees like a fast growing pine or a leyland cypress. 15-20 ft high for a shrub is very big, small trees are more in that hieght range.

CoreHH,I I am on a hill and the house behind me is way up and looks directly into my backyard. We all have views of the water here, my neighbors behind look over our house to the water, and 15-20' is the max height that wouldn't compromise their view.

I must seem very impatient;things don't need to grow 5'/yr, but I do feel I am in a fishbowl now, so rapid growth is important. Hadn't realized privet was a fast grower; I will look into that. Did think about bamboo actually (the Bamboo Guru lives 1/2 mile from me and is the most knowledgeable person about bamboo I have ever met, just sounded like too much maintenance.

Watch out, privet is also invasive!

Resin

I should just bow out of this discussion, since PNW is just a place I get to dream about from far away, but...

I'd always double-check any of your choices for propensity to escape.

How does Osmanthus do up that way? Several different evergreen styles to choose from; I think they are all fragrant; and with benign weather they may even be vigorous growers.

Some of the evergreen Magnolia virginiana var. australis might get you the screen you want as well.

Magnolia virginiana would not be evergreen in zone 5...I am in 7a and lose all the leaves every winter. (unless..australis is supposed to be evergreen?). How dare I even question EHSP

Thanks for all of these suggestions; I will check out both today!

Magnolia virginiana would be evergreen in Seattle. I don't think it would grow very fast though.