Question
Hi,
We are finishing up our patio in our backyard and want to border it with a privacy hedge.  Since we want the hedge just around the patio and not the entire yard, we want something that is very narrow, evergreen, 5 ft to 6ft tall.  We live in Atlanta, GA and we have been in a drought for almost 2 years.  So it also has to be very tolerant of drought like conditions, not mention our famous georgia clay. Any adive you can give will be very much appreciated. Thanks!

Answer
Soulds like you need a clipped hedge - Boxwood (Buxus), Holly (Illex), or Privet (Foreesteria or Ligustrum).  Check in your local area fo the best species, or go to the link, below.

Plant these close together to get things going (2-3 feet apart) and trimming them to maintain the desired size.

You can search for the shrub type that best fits your situation, specific to Georgia's environment, at this link - scroll down to the shrub section:
http://pubs.caes.uga.edu/caespubs/pubcd/B625.htm

One other item -Don't mix them together, as this looks ugly as a trimmed hedge.  Finally, here is a book that your local library may carry:

Great Shrubs for Georgia by Erica Glasener & Walter Reeves (2004)

~Marc