Why isn't a fence possible? And what's wrong with your back yard?

Chris,

No fence due to ordinance, back yard inhabited by one year old Great Pyrenees puppy (google that). Dog has a fondness for digging and eating plants... Already lost p. nigra and p. bambusoides "all gold" culms! Heartbreaking.

I do plan on constructing fences INSIDE the garden though to divide up areas, there ia plenty of p. aruea around to provide material. I also have a p. henon grove for stock material. I am lucky enough to live in an area where boo grows very well. As I said, I have a lot of it! Moso should be providing fencing material in 3 years or so.

I have surrendered backyard to children and dog, sigh. The front yard is MINE.

Suggest you locate a copy of LANDSCAPE PLANTS OF THE SOUTHEAST by Halfacre and Shawcroft. Excellent book which breaks the plants down by height. For a Japanese garden hedge my first choice would be Podocarpus macrophyllus maki. Good for sun or shade. Very drought tolerant. Also Camellia sasanqua and Viburnum tinus. Although deciduous, consider a few scattered Wintersweet (Chimonanthus praecox) for its interesting structure and early bloom habit. Then there is Banana shrub, Weeping Yaupon holly....lots of suitable choices.

Ditto on Nandina's Maki suggestion. Meanwhile, please visit the UNC's incredible arboretum and talk to the staff! Worth the drive - trust me.