Replacement for Leylandii tree

WestonDave

Over the weekend we chopped down a Leylandii tree that was part of a mixed hedge on the boundary of our garden (planted by the previous owner). It was heading for 20 feet tall, and was clearly taking a lot of moisture etc from the soil judging by the cracks in the clay soil near it. It had gone beyond being "topped" due to its height so it had to go.

Now we have a space probably 6-8feet wide and 3-4feet front to back to fill. To the right of it is a nice small holly tree which we will keep pruned. To the left is a really pretty tall rose (which up to now has been so swamped by the tree that only the neighbours get to see it) and then another green bush that I've yet to identify (and may yet meet the same fate as the Leylandii - basically the whole row is too squashed on top of each other).

We are looking for something which will give us a bit of privacy during the summer when we are out in the garden - really only from people coming and going from next door as their front door is directly behind the gap, and give a reasonable amount of colour/interest - again mainly in the summer. Don't want anything which is going to grow much over 5 feet (or can be kept down to that height). Its clay soil, gets some sun side on or early morning but is shaded from most wind and rain by next door.

At the moment my favoured options are a smoke bush (probably the purple one) or a ceanothus, as both seem to fit the size criteria. Any other suggestions we should look at?