We have about 3' of clay soil between our driveway and the property line that stays relatively moist (for the Front Range). On the other side of the property line is another 5' of shaded soil, then the side of a neighbor's house, with window air conditioner, gas meter, and parked junk.

I'd like to plant a screen that will obscure the view. It can become a thicket -- the space is pretty well contained, and the neighbors don't care about this side of their house at all.

The perfect plant would ...

- grow fast, to 8'-12' high

- bear fruit for birds or people

- be able to thrive in moist, semi-shaded clay without much attention

- be so dense that it obscures the view year-round

... and also, the plant must not break up the concrete driveway with its roots.

One plant that certainly doesn't like the conditions is the NM privet. I pulled up a hedge from this space because it was sickly -- too much moisture, not enough sun?

From my internet research, I found a few that might work, but I just don't know for certain:

- wild plum (prunus americana)

- hop tree (ptelea trifoliata)

- silver buffaloberry (shepherdia argentea)

- boulder raspberry (rubus deliciosus)

- red elderberry (sambucus racemosa)

Anyone want to chime in on the above options, or offer other alternatives? Your experience with hedges next to driveways is very welcome.

Thanks!