Hi everyone. I am having a patio installed. But I need to add some privacy around the patio, and then will add something to the 6ft fence since I can see over it because the house sits just a little high.

For the patio, I was thinking Skip Cherry Laurel around it. But read its berries are toxic for dogs. Have a little 6lb dog, so am concerned. Will the berries fall off onto the patio? Can I plant skip laurel a foot or so away from the patio to prevent this? She's not a yard dog, but will be a patio dog. And in spring when it blooms, will I be sitting in a patio filled with an invasion of bees?

For the fence, I was thinking of doing Emerald Green arborvitae. I really only need something that gets to around 11-12 ft to block the road view that I can see over the top fence line.

Or should I do the emerald greens around the patio and the skip laurel at the fence line at back of yard? Am thinking emeralds would make patio safer for dog, and laurel might look pretty covering fence at back of yard. Thoughts?

You can tell I'm new to plants and gardening, so any input and advice is welcome! Am open to any other ideas also. Wanted something fairly fast growing though.

Zone 7B

Thanks.