We have a small (under 10 ft. Magnolia tree) that screens our screened porch from our neighbors'. It's a volunteer--we didn't plant it.

Though I'm a huge tree-lover, I've had it with this tree. It's constantly shedding leaves..and something about the sound of those tough brown leaves skittering across the brick patio is like fingernails on a blackboard.

Plus the all too frequent task of raking/sweeping up the leaves...

So, long story short, I think we're going to dispatch with the tree...

My question is we're thinking of planting in its place several Oleanders. They do well in our coastal NC zone 8A.

I know they're toxic to cats/dogs, but we & neighbors have neither of them.

We like the Oleander idea as they seem to be "easy keepers" and drought tolerant and the hummingbirds/butterflies are drawn to them

Any advice/observations most welcomed! We'd like a small tree/shrub that stays under 10 feet and keeps leaves all year to serve as a living screening fence..