Yupers,,,those possums guys move slow and mostly at night but they are stupid and really sneeky,coons now they move at all speeds and they have thumbs they can get into anything. I have a cat door for the Rex Cat here at Butler Manor coons and possums have found their way in a few times, I live trap them with peanut butter,greese and crackers. The possums are just too gross but the coons are right tastie!!! Nice looking Dawgs! I agree that wide wire woudent do much to slow down the critters or the collies. Most of the time the creatures move on what they see, but they dont usually dig or forse into something that dosent look open. Idea>>> Frame in for the skirtng with a solid say...hmmmmm 2x8'' preasure treated as the bottom rail set an inch or so in the ground,2x framing from there up to the deck frame, install the sq lattice framing pannels,I make them out of 1'' stock,or the black chain link, they actually vinal coat that stuff, on the frame in a secure nature. Bang Bang done. Its important for this work to Look very solid and be solid of course, but its the look the creatures go for its all in their eyes unless there is something behind the skirting they want most of the time they wont even think about a force entry. J.

Sorry - I read too quickly and missed the fragrance requirement. There are a few large clematis that are scented, including Betty Corning and Clematis montana. I don't know how well C. montana grows in GA. You could ask on the Clematis forum or whatever is the most active forum for the SE. You could also plant other scented plants in pots in the deck and that would give you more flexibility with your vines for shade.

Consider inward opening gate (from the back yard point of view.) What will happen to water in this area that does not come from the house downspout, but comes straight from falling rain? It's above ground and has to run somewhere. I would consider NOT running the downspout discharge underground but keeping it at the surface and letting it run with the overall flow of surface drainage. The typical configuration is downspout to tail piece, to splash block, to ground surface that is graded to drain away from structure. It's much less trouble than underground pipes which can clog ... in the middle of the storm, of course. For creating privacy, you will probably want to create a 10 or 15' run hedge of tall, tight shrubs along the property line. The walk can shift its layout once it has passed through the gate opening, in order to accommodate them.

Any kind of permanent planter would either come up short in blocking sight lines, or it would be in the way of the steps. If this was my problem, I'd make a folding panel screen (a la Chinese/Japanese arrangement) that was attached to the house at the "property line" between the two units. Or it could be attached to a stout pole next to the house that was attached to the deck, or attached to the ground below ... whatever way that works and is secure) It could be pulled out when desired -- by either neighbor -- and attached to their side of the rail by some simple mechanism -- a magnetic or gate catch for example. The screen would also need some sort of locking catch when retracted so as not to blow about in the wind. It would also need to be durable against wetness ... maybe hinged metal frames with outdoor fabric infill.