Ilex crenata 'Helleri' would work well and is easily found in stores. It is a small leaved Japanese holly (no spines).

Why not use boxwood? It's slow-growing, responds well to shearing, and is happy in our climate. I think English boxwood would be an ideal choice. Boxwood is also pleasantly aromatic.

pleasantly aromatic is in the nose of the beholder.
I think boxwood smells like cat pee

Sorry, I forgot to mention that I would like the hedge to ultimately be a least 6 foot tall. Will the Japanese Holly or English boxwood grow that big?

"pleasantly aromatic."

Made me spit my coffee out!

Another who thinks it smells like cat pee.

OK, I don't want cat pee smells so Japanese Holly it is. Problem is there seems to tons of different varieties. Can anyone recommend the variety that would best suit my goal? Thanks!

Well, in the first place, no one with a well-calibrated, functioning nose would compare the pleasant fragrance of boxwood with cat urine. Boxwood is a traditional, refined easily managed, slow-growing plant. An unsheared English boxwood might reach six feet in height after a couple of centuries--not in your lifetime. American boxwood, on the other hand, tends to grow taller than its English cousin--also faster. And then, there are the several strains of Oriental boxwood to consider. Boxwood is an elegant, refined, pleasantly-scented horticultural gem that relegates an _Ilex helleri_ hedge to shopping mall parking lots where it belongs.

Here is a link to cultivars and sizes. 'Helleri' is usually the most common (the term "Ilex helleri" is wrong in the post above, it is Ilex crenata 'Helleri'), but this chart says it only gets to 4 feet. Looks like 'Compacta' would be your ideal choice.

Here is a link that might be useful: list

Thank you for all the advice. Jay, you are "THE WELL ADJUSTED/OBSESSIVE SHRUBBIST." We might be quite similar! See this link for explanation:

http://beyondallreasonandsanity.blogspot.com/2011/05/on-shrubs-and-art-of-shrubbing.html

Here is a link that might be useful: The Art of Shrubbing!

Hmmm, sorry Jay, but lots of people smell cat urine.

Here is a link that might be useful: One of many googles about stinking boxwoods

Just received my Southern Living magazine in the mail. Terrific illustrated piece on boxwoods this month. Beautiful... I'm hooked!

Wow! Of all the luck this weekend Jack Delashmet is coming to the Triad to give a lecture about landscaping. Jack is a landscaper who once lived in High Point and now has a hugely successful business in The Hamptons, on Long Island, NY. He just published an illustrated book called "Hamptons Gardens." I hope he can help me with my fantasy hedge.

The lecture will be on Saturday morning from 10-12 at the Kernersville Botanical Gardens. $35 for non-members.

A japanese holly variety called "Steed's Upright" would make a lovely hedge for you.

Here is a link that might be useful: Steeds Upright Holly