They are clean, but if you want privacy, they are not the best--you can see right through them. Regular shearing will dense them up somewhat, but they are still not what you could call super dense. They are also really a 20-25' tall tree, so if you want only "a bit higher" you are going to be trimming.

Monrovia is selling a P. tenuifolium selection called 'Tasman Ruffles' that is supposed to be very, very dense and goes to about 10'. Have a look at that one. Also 'Marjorie Channon' is more dense than 'Silver Sheen' and will go to only 10 or 12'.
Not as dense as 'Tasman Ruffles'.

Here is a link that might be useful: Tasman Ruffles

I agree with hoovb on P. tenuifolium 'Silver Sheen'. I love it and have a hedge of it, but I selected it specifically because it is lacy and light. This new cultivar looks lovely, amazing the variety and usability within the P. tenuifolium cultivars. Love them.

Patty S.

Thank you guys! We actually like that you can still see through it for light's sake. I now can see how its not going to be the best for "privacy" but we can at least give a slight illusion that we are blocking them a bit, if that makes sense :)

Makes perfect sense!

Silver Sheen drops its leaves here every July and August when it gets hot. It's messy. It also gets small black flowers that drop, but they are not bad. The heat is what really makes it shed.

Coastal Orange County here and my silver sheen is a great privacy screen along the driveway. Yes, one can see through it, but it gives the illusion of privacy and obscures the view of the driveway and parked cars. It is at least 25 feet high (planted from 1 gallon container in 2010). It has never shed or dropped leaves. With our maritime climate it is seldom >80 degrees and evenings are always cool. It is lovely and low maintenance, but do not over prune or it will die.