What type of tree or shrub can I use to create privacy with not much upkeep?

I have a front yard on a corner lot with an iron fence that gets full bright southern sun in the summer. i tryed pittoshorum.This didn't work height and speed of growth to slow. Ficus are so blah yet practical. How about a large bird of paradise in the corner and smaller bushes of some sort next to this large focus.Any ideas.thanks