Hey everyone! I need some landscaping advice for my backyard. It's quite wide but not very deep, and the back is bordered by a small city-owned forest. We only get direct sunlight from noon onwards because of the trees. We used to have a back fence, but after a windstorm destroyed part of it, we decided to take out most of the old fence since we prefer the natural green look. The forest floor is overrun with blackberry bushes, which we try to manage each summer. We're looking to plant some hedge trees at the back to tidy things up and help control the blackberry spread, but we need something that won't take up too much room since we want to leave space for the kids to play. We're located in a coastal climate in zone 8b. What would be the best options for us?
2 Answers
It sounds like a fun project! In your area, Pacific Wax Myrtle is a solid choice; it can help contain those blackberry bushes but will need regular trimming to maintain its shape. Another option could be Azara microphylla, but you might find its foliage isn't dense enough to keep the blackberries at bay. Just keep an eye on that blackberry growth; they can easily take over if not managed!
Given your yard's shape, columnar trees would be perfect! I’ve mixed them up in my own yard in zone 8b, including Flagpole Cherry Blossom and several Japanese maples. They stay slim and won’t take over your space. Clumping bamboo could also be a great addition if you don’t mind trimming it regularly; it creates a nice barrier against those pesky blackberries!