Hedge, screen for shady area

Hi,

Could someone recommend a good hedge, screen for a shady area. I am considering taking out some trees, because they are preventing me from vegetable gardening to the extent I would like, but the same trees do provide privacy, so I would like to replace them with a good screening plant. One option could be to start the screen now, before removing the trees, but that would mean deeper shade to start out in. If I remove the trees before planting the sceen, my neighbors still have some trees that will be casting shade on the area, but it will be less dense.

Thanks!

Hi there! Zone 8 is wonderful, so:
Re: Shady - how much sun does this get, if any?
How much space?
Evergreen or deciduous?
How tall - how wide?
What's the soil like? Moisture?
Flowering or foliage interest?
How do you like your coffee? Sorry, I'm near Seattle...
I've done several different hedges, but I'm in Zone 7 so I was more limited than you.
Let me know the answers...Katye

The site gets partial sun, I'd say medium to in some spots heavy shade.
When you ask about space, do you mean the lenght of space? I am not sure, probably 60 feet or more. Have not measured yet.
Definitely evergreen (I am considering emerald arborvitae)
Minimum 7 or 8 feet in height, I would prefer if the hedge did not grow too wide.
Soil is dense and clayey. Being Oregon, lots of rain in winter, dry summers.
Flowers are nice, but privacy is the main goal.
Coffee, mmmm, I used to LOVE my Mochas - but I quit my coffee completely this summer!

Thanks in advance for any help, and thanks for asking for clarifications!

Boel

Well, it helps to know the essentials for solid recommendations. Coffee: black. It's just easier. Glad that Tea is an acceptable request - I used to get funny looks...
Partial sun - Am or Afternoon, or ?
If you don't want to do a lot of pruning, you have some great options. The only question I did not ask, & I apologize for this, is availability. I am so used to being able to get an extremely wide variety of nursery stock, and need to remember that not everyone has this luxury.
These are some I have had success with & remember that my zone is colder than yours.
In no particular order - Evergreen: Escallonia; Viburnum tinus & V. burkwoodii; Euonymus - japonicus & fortunei; Kalmia; Camellias; Pieris; Carpenteria; Berberis (there are a few evergreen); Ceanothus; Pyracantha; Ilex; Buxus; Aucuba; Prunus (cherry laurel - I have one of Russian origin that hits 6-7'); Abelia; Sarcococca ruscifolia; Lonicera nitida; Loropetalum; Osmanthus; Nandina.
All of these ought to excel in zone 8. Those that flower will not produce as many blossoms due to less sun. I have not grown Carpenteria, but it is grown up here & does well except in very cold winters, but it would prefer full sun so ?...
Please realize that evergreen plants typically cost more than deciduous, with size being a major factor. I did not include coniferous evergreens - that is a major investment for 60'. However - one thing to possibly consider would be for a mix - unless you are trying to achieve a "green wall". Arborvitae are plentiful & less expensive, but I have a hedge of them & I find it boring. However, they make a wonderful backdrop for other plants, if depth of space is not a huge issue.
I hope this is helpful. A lot of this will depend on the type of "texture" you want to see. Wish it was easier to make a decision. At least that is where I get hung up! Take care! Katye

Hi Katye,

Thanks so much! I will have to take some time to research all your suggestions! Much appreciated!

Boel