Looking for recommendations for small tropicalesque hardy landscape trees for shade

[Keys6505]

I have a row of palms down my property line that blocks my neighbors house.  I have a Sabal Mexicana/Filabusta/S. mex/Filabusta/S. Mex.  The intention is for the Washy to outgrow the Sabals so the crowns aren't forever smashed together.  At this point the trees are above the fence and in a year or 2 will no longer be an effective privacy hedge so I want to start under planting them now to give the new trees some time to catch up.  I'm hoping I could get some recommendations for trees that I may not know about that will survive in 9b Houston TX.  I'm looking for non-palm trees that:

-Max out at about 20' tall

-have a tropicalesque look while being able to survive  the occasional Arctic blast (seen 15 degrees twice in the past 5 years)

-clay tolerant

-grow in mostly shade, although it will likely brighten up as the palms get taller

-large foliage, variegation or flowering are a big plus

Some of my ideas have been Asimina Triloba "Split Milk" (PawPaw) or maybe a "Carolina Sweetheart" Redbud, although I'm not sure if Texas heat will be too much for them.  But those are a long the lines of what I'm looking for.  Any ideas would be appreciated!

 

[thyerr01]

I've also heard that the Asimia species struggle with heat in Houston.

Hibiscus hamabo, Acca sellowiana (Feijoa), or Myrica cerifera (or others) could work. Of those I think feijoa is the best option, it grows large in Houston, gets nice and dense for privacy, and won't really freeze back. I think your requirement for them to grow in shade is the biggest constraint. With a bit more sun you can have things like dwarf magnolias, texas mountain laurel, and Cordia boissieri. 

I'd also recommend looking at something like Passiflora incarnata if you want a privacy screen and don't mind it climbing on the palms. Mine still had leaves before the recent freeze.

[amh]

20 hours ago, Keys6505 said:

I have a row of palms down my property line that blocks my neighbors house.  I have a Sabal Mexicana/Filabusta/S. mex/Filabusta/S. Mex.  The intention is for the Washy to outgrow the Sabals so the crowns aren't forever smashed together.  At this point the trees are above the fence and in a year or 2 will no longer be an effective privacy hedge so I want to start under planting them now to give the new trees some time to catch up.  I'm hoping I could get some recommendations for trees that I may not know about that will survive in 9b Houston TX.  I'm looking for non-palm trees that:

-Max out at about 20' tall

-have a tropicalesque look while being able to survive  the occasional Arctic blast (seen 15 degrees twice in the past 5 years)

-clay tolerant

-grow in mostly shade, although it will likely brighten up as the palms get taller

-large foliage, variegation or flowering are a big plus

Some of my ideas have been Asimina Triloba "Split Milk" (PawPaw) or maybe a "Carolina Sweetheart" Redbud, although I'm not sure if Texas heat will be too much for them.  But those are a long the lines of what I'm looking for.  Any ideas would be appreciated!

 

Pawpaws can handle the heat if they are given some afternoon sun protection, but a variegated variety may be prone to sunburn in Texas. I do recommend Asimina triloba for a tropical looking tree, but they are deciduous and will be bare during the winter.

18 hours ago, thyerr01 said:

I've also heard that the Asimia species struggle with heat in Houston.

Hibiscus hamabo, Acca sellowiana (Feijoa), or Myrica cerifera (or others) could work. Of those I think feijoa is the best option, it grows large in Houston, gets nice and dense for privacy, and won't really freeze back. I think your requirement for them to grow in shade is the biggest constraint. With a bit more sun you can have things like dwarf magnolias, texas mountain laurel, and Cordia boissieri. 

I'd also recommend looking at something like Passiflora incarnata if you want a privacy screen and don't mind it climbing on the palms. Mine still had leaves before the recent freeze.

Feijoa is a great recommendation, and it will grow faster with a little shade. Passiflora incarnata is another great recommendation, but it can spread to the neighbor's yard, possibly causing conflict. A lawnmower or weed-eater will easily keep the vines in check. Mountain laurel is a great suggestion as well and they will grow very upright in full shade.

Loquat is another tree that could be used, since it is an evergreen with big leaves and has flowers with a pleasant odor. 

[SeanK]

Little Gem Magnolia or Wax Myrtle. Some of the hollies, trimmed as trees. Perhaps Loquat 

[happypalms]

Camellias you can prune to make a hedge. There is a variety of high bush blueberry called rabbit eye you can prune to shape. Rhododendrons, azaleas dwarf stone fruit trees citrus trees. Fruit trees can be used as ornamentals with the bonus of fruit,  there are stacks of fruit trees available. 

[Than]

Hibiscus will do what you want. In hot areas they prefer shade and they become small trees. 

[Chester B]

My list is similar to what others have said:

Hibiscus hamabo - mine went deciduous this winter

Fejoia sellowiana - mine were untouched by the cold.  One of my personal favorites

Texas Mountain laurel

Loquat

Viburnum awabuki "Chindo"

Gordlinia grandiflora

Magnolia "Coppertallica"

Magnolia figo

Magnolia "stellar ruby"

Magnolia grandiflora "Teddy bear"

Magnolia tripetala

Magnolia ashei

Fatsia japonica

Paw Paw

Fig

Rose of sharon

 

 

 

 

[amh]

FWIW, I'm currently in the process of creating an edible/palm hedge in my front yard. I have already planted the fejoia backbone and I will soon begin filling the area in between with pomegranates, figs and various palms. I may even add asparagus and artichoke/cardoons in the future.

[Keys6505]

Seems that everyone is mentioning the Fejoia.  What's the draw there?  I've only seen it in photos but nothing struck me as especially unique.

On 2/15/2025 at 4:43 PM, Chester B said:

Magnolia ashei

I actually have a stick of this in one of the spaces already, I'm just not entirely sure what it's doing.  I had it in another spot in my yard for like 2 years and it barely grew.  Last fall I decided to move it but when I dug it up it had ZERO roots.  Rotted I guess?  I moved it to the fence line I referenced in my original post (drier spot) and forgot about it.  I just remembered to check it after seeing your recommendation and looks like it may be budding.  Hopefully it does something.

 

I ordered 2 small trees, but I'm not entirely confident that they'll handle the heat.  The first is a Celestial Shadow dogwood.  It's supposed to be a hybrid with the cornus florida so hopefully it has a little bit of heat tolerance.  Not my pic.

 

The other is a Carolina Sweetheart redbud.  Again, concerned with heat tolerance, but the shade should help.  Again, not my pic. 

 

My ULTIMATE choice would be a variegated loquat, but I've been searching for one for years and just have never come across one.  Still might try the Spilt Milk pawpaw for my final slot, but looks like they're typically only readily available in the fall 

[thyerr01]

@Keys6505 The main draw for Feijoas are the fruit and flowers, both of which are edible. I'd say the fruit fall into the 'love it or hate it' category. The flowers are also popular with birds and look very tropical. 

They are commonly planted around Houston in commercial landscapes and do great with minimal care. 

[Austinpalm]

Cordia boisserii - did well on clay soil for me in Austin, TX.  Went thru several winters with lows below 20F.

Ehretia anacua -ditto

Erythrina herbacea var. arborescens - does well on silty clay here in South Texas but may be a little tender for you.

Leucaena retusa - Same report as Cordia.

Myrcianthes fragrans - Same report as Cordia

[Than]

Eriobotrya deflexa is a beautiful loquat species with green and bronze leaves. I have one in a pot. Slow grower

[Chester B]

13 hours ago, Keys6505 said:

Seems that everyone is mentioning the Fejoia.  What's the draw there?  I've only seen it in photos but nothing struck me as especially unique.

Evergreen, really nice silverish hue to the leaves with the white undersides, tropical looking and edible flowers, and great tasting fruit.  There are also a number of varieties available which mostly affects the fruit (taste, size, etc)  It has always been one of my favorite large shrubs/small trees.  They are used a lot in Mediterranean plantings so I was pleasantly surprised to see them here in Houston.  I already have 4 on my property and they took no damage during the freeze.

As far as the redbuds, the local nurseries stock a ton of them and I have seen them in my neighborhood.  Again I was surprised they would do well here considering they are a native species in Canada as well as the US.  Look up the "flamethrower" variety, they are just as good in person, but I do believe the leaves eventually mature to a more yellowish-green color.

[Chester B]

I never think of Dogwoods as they are mostly deciduous and I avoid deciduous plants like the plague, but there is one that i know of that is evergreen.  The Empress of China dogwood is a small tree that is supposed to be tolerant of temps in the south.  

[Than]

14 hours ago, Keys6505 said:

Seems that everyone is mentioning the Fejoia.  What's the draw there?  I've only seen it in photos but nothing struck me as especially unique.

Ditto. The flowers are nice but the silver leaves.. yucks!

[Silas_Sancona]

56 minutes ago, Than said:

Ditto. The flowers are nice but the silver leaves.. yucks!

Silvery undersides of the leaves / sheen on newer foliage on these = admirable attribute #5  IE: Complete opposite of " Yuck "

 

[Than]

1 hour ago, Silas_Sancona said:

Silvery undersides of the leaves / sheen on newer foliage on these = admirable attribute #5  IE: Complete opposite of " Yuck "

 

Try to understand. I live in a place where 90% of trees around are olive trees. I am so sick of the silver undersides!!

[Silas_Sancona]

3 minutes ago, Than said:

Try to understand. I live in a place where 90% of trees around are olive trees. I am so sick of the silver undersides!!

Like living in a place where everyone assumes everything with leaves is spiny  and / or boring =  it is,  what it is..

As far as Olives go, i do wish i could chop up the one out front and replace it w/ something more interesting ( ...And less messy = Fruit /More appropriate for this day and age ),  ..Gumbo Limbo,  Arroyo Sweetwood,  Hesperalbizia occidentalis,  and/or Royal Poinciana..  Enough room for two trees out front if placed correctly. 

Someone who knows their exotic lumber would probably pay good $$$ for the trunk / Burl of the Olive too. 

🙏 Repeated, extra - savage Monsoon storms this coming summer please.. 🙏 

 

[Chester B]

I loved my olives back in Oregon and they were producing for me.  They are a no go here sadly.  

I used to think Live oaks were pretty awesome until I moved here.  Every house has at least two and I have 5.  They are spammed just as bad as the crepe myrtles.  If you know what Crepe Myrtle Murder is they do that here with the live oaks too...

[ahosey01]

16 minutes ago, Chester B said:

I loved my olives back in Oregon and they were producing for me.  They are a no go here sadly.  

I used to think Live oaks were pretty awesome until I moved here.  Every house has at least two and I have 5.  They are spammed just as bad as the crepe myrtles.  If you know what Crepe Myrtle Murder is they do that here with the live oaks too...

I never understood this because Diospyros texana looks just like a damn crape myrtle except prettier and also they don't need supplemental water in the central part of the state.

[Silas_Sancona]

22 minutes ago, Chester B said:

I loved my olives back in Oregon and they were producing for me.  They are a no go here sadly.  

I used to think Live oaks were pretty awesome until I moved here.  Every house has at least two and I have 5.  They are spammed just as bad as the crepe myrtles.  If you know what Crepe Myrtle Murder is they do that here with the live oaks too...

Thankfully " traditional " Cr*p'e Myrtles are extremely rare sights here, otherwise i'd move further south, lol....   Messy ..perhaps more so than traditional Bougainvillea, and yes, " Crape murder " =  definitely remember seeing lots of that back in San Jose ...and in FL.

  Sad they'd do the same thing  to Live Oaks there.  Strange as it sounds, Live Oak can do pretty well here,  fusiformis form of it at least..



Returning to Crapes, " Tropical " Crepe Myrtles are fairly nice looking trees. Bigger flowers, Bigger leaves, and not nearly as messy as the fru -fru types..

Tough call on whether or not they'd survive repeated exposure to temps below about 26F though.  Someone locally was selling them years ago but have yet to see one growing anywhere around town, so our extreme heat /dry air may not work for them either.


A couple older threads:
 

 

 

 

[ahosey01]

On 2/11/2025 at 8:50 PM, Keys6505 said:

I have a row of palms down my property line that blocks my neighbors house.  I have a Sabal Mexicana/Filabusta/S. mex/Filabusta/S. Mex.  The intention is for the Washy to outgrow the Sabals so the crowns aren't forever smashed together.  At this point the trees are above the fence and in a year or 2 will no longer be an effective privacy hedge so I want to start under planting them now to give the new trees some time to catch up.  I'm hoping I could get some recommendations for trees that I may not know about that will survive in 9b Houston TX.  I'm looking for non-palm trees that:

-Max out at about 20' tall

-have a tropicalesque look while being able to survive  the occasional Arctic blast (seen 15 degrees twice in the past 5 years)

-clay tolerant

-grow in mostly shade, although it will likely brighten up as the palms get taller

-large foliage, variegation or flowering are a big plus

Some of my ideas have been Asimina Triloba "Split Milk" (PawPaw) or maybe a "Carolina Sweetheart" Redbud, although I'm not sure if Texas heat will be too much for them.  But those are a long the lines of what I'm looking for.  Any ideas would be appreciated!

 

One of your problems here is that trees don't really "max out" per se.  You can have two of the same species of tree growing for equal amounts of time and one gets huge and the other does not.  There are trees that slow down significantly once they have attained some size.

I would think Asimina triloba would hate your soil and summer temps.

My brain immediately goes to Magnolia macrophylla based on your description.