Spanish bayonet, Bougainvillea,Cactus,Firethorn bush,all conecting into a home defence bed. Anything that is thorny. Riht to the edge of the curb. I like dogs and people but when
I invite.
I have country fencing.Before Some neighbors would ride their horses
interrupting family gatherings. Now when teens jump the fence,
I yell ,real loud,"Quick get me the gun". Then I hear "run he has a gun". They never come back.
In the mean time confront them. It works.
Felix

A row of crown of thorns? :) My neighbor has a small sign that shows a dog squatting with a red "NO" circle over it to discourage others from walking their dogs on his lawn. Funny thing is (or maybe not!)...his dog always gets loose and poops on MY front walk.

Carissa macrocarpa. The thorns will discourage animals and people.

I have never been able to understand how people would walk their dogs to poop in some elses yard and not their own. If they live in an apt. or something like that they should at least pick it up. And people that let their cat out side to go are just as bad. Nothing smells worse then cat urine or poop. I have had dogs and cats all my life and I love them,,,,,,,,but not a lot of their owners.

I have a friend who has little tombstones that say
Bodies of the last dogs who crapped in my yard.

Schillings dwarf holly gets thick and doesn't get that tall if that's what you're looking for.

Gary

I keep seeing masses of Plumbago planted there. It probably doesn't have to have thorns if it is planted in mass as a barrier.

Thanks for all the suggestions.

Here's what I'm thinking: I don't want a boxy hedge or something that I have to trim into a formal square or round shape to keep it at a reasonable height. I prefer something short - not taller than 2 feet. I was thinking of this as the first layer. I intend to eventually put a bigger/taller row or group of plants behind this small row. I plan to make the front yard more tropical looking later on, so I'd like this plant to blend in. I can't have signs in my neighborhood. The gun comment is humorous, but won't work in this case.

I think cactus/spanish bayonet won't fit in with tropical look I intend to create later. Will it? Your thoughts?

I love bouganvilla, but unless it comes in miniature, I think it's going to be much too large. I dislike the color of blue plumbago. Carissa macrocarpa fruit might attract more problem people than I've already got, and it seems to fall into the "needs to be trimmed as a hedge" group of plants I'm trying to avoid (as does Schillings dwarf holly and firethorn bush). What I've read about those last few shows them all getting too tall for what I'm trying to accomplish, although they might make nice choices for the second layer.

Now that I've detailed how picky I am, do you have any more suggestions? I don't believe it necessarily has to be thorny if I plant it close enough together.

More help please!

I've seen where homeowners have planted ornamental grasses of different shapes and colors in the corner and sideyard, with river rocks for a mulch. Since their home is situated on the neighborhood dog-walk and sidewalk to everywhere, I'm wondering if they got rid of their lawn to eliminate your very same problem.

They also had various other shrubs and flowers, but the OGs were on the "public" part of the yard, and they are not very inviting or friendly to stroll around!

I'm thinking ornamental grasses, bromeliads or even a mass of coleus. I love colorful foliage and gingers. Maybe there's something small and colorful in the ginger family that I can mass plant?

Are you allowed to plant right up against the curb, or is there an easement? I know I can't plant on my swale, and I'm in an area called "The Farms" where the smallest lot is over an acre.

What about a short, attractive fence, while you consider plant options?

A cheap, effective way to keep dogs off is to install a low, electric fence. One or two wires (easy to see through, cheap, and easy to install), will repel just about all four-legged trespassers. Green, pound-in stakes with insulators will be nearly invisible. Remember to put up the "electric fence" signs that come with the charger/wire, so the idiots that are walking the dogs are at least warned(G).

A low electric fence will allow you to step over it, yet it is high enough to weedwack underneath.

Lisa

I am allowed to plant up to the edge of curb...at my own risk of losing the plants because the area is indeed considered part of the right-of-way and has underground utilities. I don't want to go with rocks or anything tremendously expensive for that reason and because I just can't afford.

I cannot have any fences, whether easy to see or practically invisible. It's not that big of a problem that I would go with electric fence. I don't want to hurt the dogs or kids, I just want to mildly deter them by blocking the area with something less attractive to run through.

A lawn is just begging for dogs (and kids) to run and play on it.

I was thinking something like the Xanadu pictured on the website in the link below. It's near the bottom of the list on the right side of the webpage.

That would fit my particulars and seems like it could be a "natural" hedge.

Anyone know how tall it gets or could you direct me to a website that would give me plant information?

Here is a link that might be useful: Xanadu Pic

A low maintenance shrub is Indian Hawthorne. It requires very little pruning and has a nice subtle bloom in the Spring. Also, the variegated Flax Lily (Dianella) is pretty carefree.

Try this website. Click on plant tag lists.

Here is a link that might be useful: floridata

Dwarf Walter's Viburnum Mrs. Schiller's delight is a low native bush that would attract birds. You may have to mix various bushes and grasses to achieve a pleasing effect. By the way, I love the color of your house.

Thanks, florah. The paint color is Sequoia Grove and it is Behr brand.