Ilex crenata (Japanese holly) would make a good choice if the narrow border drains well. It is adaptable to light shade, will remain leafy all year, grows slowly (so you don't need to be constantly pruning) and can be shaped into a hedge if you like. It is also a suitable plant for urban conditions. Avoid using it if the site is very windy or it can suffer damage in the winter.

Here are a few that should all work well:

• Ilex crenata 'Sky Pencil' - this one grows up to 8 feet tall and is very narrow (2 feet). Tall, but a larger number of plants will be required to effectively cover a space.
• Ilex crenata 'Sky Pointer' (also called by the trade name Ilex crenata SKY BOX®) - a little less tall, about 5 feet, and a little wider than 'Sky Pencil', about 3 feet wide.
• Ilex crenata STRAIGHT AND NARROW® (usually found under that trade name rather than the cultivar name Ilex crenata 'PCIII-I') - about 6 feet tall and 2 - 3 feet wide.

Prepare the soil to drain well and have a lightly acid pH. Keep the plants watered well the first year while they get settled in. After that, always water during dry spells. Mulch the soil in winter.

Courtesy of NYBG Plant Information Service