What to plant in zone 9b

[Roc A Bee]

Our gardener is finishing up the backyard and is ready for me to pick trees. I have no idea what to pick.

I’d like something for privacy, probably a lemon and orange tree and then something for shade? We have a good amount of space. Any ideas?

[RockNVoll]

I'm sure your local nursery would provide some guidance. I don't have any experience with gardening in that climate so I'm no help beyond that suggestion, LOL.

[lessel]

I'm not good at specific tree types, but I would just consider things that give you color or whatnot at different times of year. Like we have some crepe myrtles in the backyard and it's nice that they bloom later when everything else is just green.

[Roc A Bee]

Mar 2, 2022 8:34:45 GMT -5 lessel said:

I'm not good at specific tree types, but I would just consider things that give you color or whatnot at different times of year. Like we have some crepe myrtles in the backyard and it's nice that they bloom later when everything else is just green.

Yes! Crape Myrtles are on my list. Thanks!

[sakoro]

Tree selection may depend on the level of humidity in your zone 9b — are you in South Carolina/ Florida/Hawaii or Arizona? Here’s a list from Walter Anderson Nursery in San Diego of trees that do well in our coastal Mediterranean climate.

I don’t think orange or lemon trees are tall enough to provide shade?! Like I wouldn’t take a chair and sit under one because the leaves extend too far to the ground.

[Roc A Bee]

Mar 2, 2022 13:13:24 GMT -5 sakoro said:

Tree selection may depend on the level of humidity in your zone 9b — are you in South Carolina/ Florida/Hawaii or Arizona? Here’s a list from Walter Anderson Nursery in San Diego of trees that do well in our coastal Mediterranean climate.

I don’t think orange or lemon trees are tall enough to provide shade?! Like I wouldn’t take a chair and sit under one because the leaves extend too far to the ground.

Oh sorry! I meant I wanted tall privacy trees + fruit trees.

Im in central California. Past my backyard is an almond orchard.

[sakoro]

Mar 3, 2022 12:42:56 GMT -5 Roc A Bee said:

Mar 2, 2022 13:13:24 GMT -5 sakoro said:

Tree selection may depend on the level of humidity in your zone 9b — are you in South Carolina/ Florida/Hawaii or Arizona? Here’s a list from Walter Anderson Nursery in San Diego of trees that do well in our coastal Mediterranean climate.

I don’t think orange or lemon trees are tall enough to provide shade?! Like I wouldn’t take a chair and sit under one because the leaves extend too far to the ground.

Oh sorry! I meant I wanted tall privacy trees + fruit trees.

Im in central California. Past my backyard is an almond orchard.

Oh ok, makes sense!!! The list in the link would probably work for central CA. You could also try a local nursery to see if they have their list.

[sb]

We are 9a but in Louisiana so I don't know how humidity affects these. If I wanted taller trees that give shade that are still somewhat decorative I would do a tulip tree (I think these are called pink magnolias outside of the South), or a regular magnolia tree. Some fruit trees can get really large and provide shade too. We have a fig tree that throws some shade in our yard and previously had some neighbors with a very large grapefruit tree.

A tree that I love (but probably won't get tall enough like you're talking about is Vitex. Bees love them too!

[sandandsea]

You’ll need something drought resistant probably. Many of our neighbors have crepe myrtles. Clumping bamboo could be a good option too for a privacy screen/shade.

[ellipses84]

I love crepe myrtles. Ginkgo may be an option. Or fig trees and you can get kinds that don’t grow fruit.

There are some types of maple trees that work in the climate.

If it’s shading a patio, consider the potential mess of falling leaves and which specific types are better for that (like I’ve heard there are big differences in crepe myrtles).

I’m sure you know fruit trees can attract bugs so I try to keep them further from a door that gets opened a lot or a patio you like to sit on. I’d do as many fruit trees as I can. We’ve had a pair of pomegranate trees that provided shade but they were very old/ large and didn’t look that great in (SoCal) winter when they lost their leaves.