Recently had huge hedge removed between me and neighbor. Now driving myself up the wall trying to decide what to put in vacant No Plants Land. West/North exposure on residential street in Southern California coastal.

Area approx 20' x 5'. Have put in a line of Coreopsis Gigantea, a Calif. native with attractive feathery foliage. Planted it 8" inside(future) fence.

(Neighbor wants his (IMHO inappropriate) fence design and is paying for it.
I wanted a design more suitable to the street, and offered to go halve$.

Given the circumstances, I need something to help conceal fence.
Ideally, fast grower (supposedly 24" per annum) , reasonably trouble-free.

I plan to train for bushiness rather than height.

Nabe nursery suggested this tree/shrub -- Osmanthus fragrans. Many Web sites, including this one: http://davesgarden.com/guides/pf/showimage/341408/

O. fragrans apparently has a fairly wide range.

Would be interested to hear from NG members, in this or other climates, who have experience with the plant, or opinions about it.

TIA

HB