I want to plant a California’s native evergreen in this corner and along the fence that will grow into a tree and be at least 10ft tall for privacy The problem with this part of the yard is that it’s basically entirely shaded from mid October through February and probably most of March. That shadow line is as far the sun reaches for the next 4 months. Then in the summer it gets insanely hot as the two big oaks on my neighbor’s side shade the entire area until around 1 and then it only gets afternoon sun mostly during the hottest time of the day. I was thinking about a manzanita but I’m not sure which would be the best for the Central valley.
by Segazorgs
3 Comments
https://www.nps.gov/articles/manzanita.htm
This species gets fairly tall over time and tolerates summer heat, but manzanita is generally slow growing and may not be the best choice for privacy.
The fence shade will act like a nurse tree and protect the young plant as it matures for half the year. Once the young plant is fence height there’s no issue.
Coffeeberry, hoary coffeeberry or buckbrush if you can convince them to turn into a tree. I had intended toyon to be a hedge and it promptly headed for the sky so? Coffeeberry is an understated shrub/tree with many virtues including tiny fragrant flowers and beautiful fruit and buckbrush is a bit wild and crazy with nicer looking flowers.
Toyon and manzanita aren’t quite native to you but would work. Toyon would fill in fast and is very garden tolerant. I planted an 8 leaf seedling January of 2022 and the tippy top is 8′ today and a couple of mine were fine 2′ from a lawn for years. Half of mine were shaded by a dying pine tree for years and still flowered and fruited. Now the pine is gone they’ve thickened up and are taller than my garage. I believe they sprouted after 2005 as I just saw a photo from 2005 and a slightly older toyon isn’t present yet.
Manzanita is an investment worth making. A vote for Arctostaphylos manzanita. It tolerates slow draining soil and a little summer water and some shade. It’s not quite native but it’s supposed to be native to Yuba City and if it is fine there it ought to be fine in Sacramento!
How about a toyon? They grow quick and are great for the birds. I’m using some as a hedge plant. I’m also planning on buckbrush for hedges in other areas but they might end up more sprawling and shrub like.
Manzanita is always a beautiful choice but keep in mind they’re slow growers. Green Acres has a couple cultivars, Howard McMinn and Dr. Hurd, but they might be a bit too short for your needs. Still stunning though.
You can also consider a bay laurel tree. I got one for free through SMUD’s work with the Sacramento Tree Foundation.
Check out calscape.org for ideas. r/ceanothus is also a great sub for California native plants.