daylilies should do alright there. You could plant Iris, those usually take to areas like that pretty well I see them along side roads with heavy traffic and they grow more or less the same size versus being in a quiet yard.

Lyle

They'd love the conditions, but only thing is, kids will wreak havoc with iris - the fans snap too easily. Maybe a shorter type, and siberian iris would work there. There are lots of tough as nails plants that could work there. Gaillardias (blanketflower), euphorbs, st. john's worts (some spread so be careful in selection), ratibida (mexican hats), rudbeckia, coneflowers and vines of all stripes are just the tip of the iceberg. Dayliles will do fine with those conditions. They really are quite carefree.

Original poster here...I just realized that the area doesn't get as much sun as I thought. It's sunny in the winter when the leaves are off the tree but it's dappled shade now. I'd LOVE to use blaketflower. Would any of these still work in a more shady area?

If you want something to grow on the fence, how about 'sweet autumn clematis'--it's indigenous to SC (at least I know it grows wild in Columbia, and I have some that grows like crazy in Myrtle Beach. It blooms in September.

I grow tall bearded irises--if children are going to be stepping on them, they're a bad choice. They'll snap those fans right off.

Mike in Myrtle Beach

Dappled shade may be too much shade for gaillardias. You could try it, knowing they may not be as happy or bloom as much and would probably be spindly. There are plenty of shady things you can grow, though. Hostas hold up to kid abuse pretty well. The daylilies would still do ok, they just won't bloom as much. Toadlilies would probably be ok- the bloom spikes in fall might get broken, but they are tough plants. Heucheras or coral bells are tough, too. Hellebores love the shade and are tougher than nails (and have a slightly serrated edge to repel kids). Tough ferns include holly fern, autumn fern and christmas ferns. Vines that can deal with the shade would be bignonia (cross vine), climbing fern (lygopodium japonicum), carolina jessamine, coral honeysuckle (not japanese!), autumn clematis (as mentioned- it does reseed a lot, though and isn't native- just endemic), schizandra, akebia quinata (chocolate vine), and climbing hydrangea. There are some dwarf hydrangeas that might do ok in that situ, too- though they are thirsty plants.

You didn't say how old your kids are, but believe it or not you really can teach kids to not only keep off your plants, but if you interest them in them, they may just decide they own one or 2 and then you'd be surprised how careful they'll be. Even little tykes- 2 year olds- can be fascinated with the garden! I'm a firm believer in teaching them young to respect boundaries. Put some edging made up of alpine strawberries and watch how quick your kids pay attention because they don't want to squash their treats! :)