I want to plant a privacy hedge in front of a current chain link on the property line. There is already a concrete barrier 2 feet in from the fence that appears to be a planter/retainer type wall so I will have two feet of horizontal depth for planting. Half of the yard will also have a deck built around a swim spa so the hedges will be flush with the edge of the deck. Here is a diagram of the layout:

https://preview.redd.it/b6t6rwhtaddd1.jpg?width=991&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=7fbcc6f16548b3ff713789f4ef25364a65af185c

I'm in zone 10a and I'm avoiding ficus because of the roots. I want to plant around 8ft tall with the goal of getting ~1 ft of growth per year if possible. I've narrowed it down to:

• Podocarpus (gracilior, henkelii, and maki all seem viable)
• Eugenia
• Carolina Cherry

Most of the yard is full sun but maybe 30% is partial to medium shade because of a tree on the corner of the property.

I think Podocarpus would grow fastest, horizontally and vertically.

Eugenia was recommended by an outdoor designer but then the person at the nursery said they might not be good for a deck since they will drop fruit that will lead to more cleaning of the deck. The same might apply to the Carolina cherry?

Carolina Cherry is probably my favorite visually but it seems like it will take much longer to fill in both vertically and horizontally.

Any recommendations or things to look out for?