We recently had a designer draw up plans to landscape the front of our house. For the most part, I really like his plan. The thing that concerns me is his use of 15 golden vicary privets to form a low (2'!) curvilinear 18'-long hedge row. I planted a golden vicary at my first house fifteen years ago, so I am well aware that they grow quickly to 10' tall and wide. In your esteemed opinions, will it be possible to maintain this hedge at 2' tall and wide? He claimed that it will be no problem with two annual trimmings, but I'm still very hesitant, having just ripped out all the overgrown-for-their-spaces shrubs planted here.

I suggested goldmound spirea to keep the gold color of that part of the design while eliminating the issue of maintaining size, and while he agreed that goldmound could be an option, he clearly thought it was the inferior choice because the spirea wouldn't have the same formal look as the privet.

I don't want to make an expensive mistake! Your input is appreciated.