Ulla Bisgaard wrote:2 years ago, we got new neighbors who removed all plants on their side of our small fence. We understand why, since they were damaging their septic tank. Now we have a problem though.
We live in grow zone 10b in Southern California and have a desert climate. That side of the house, is where our rabbits live (livestock), and they can’t handle the heat during the hot season. We used to depend on the shade from the plants what was removed. Since then, we have tried hibiscus, but they can’t handle the sun either. During the hot season we frequently get 120F in the sun.
So, we need a thick tall hedge, that ideally grow fast, and can be eaten. So far the only thing I can think of is edible bamboo of the type that doesn’t spread. I know they exist but don’t know the names.
Does anyone have any suggestions for other plants/bushes/trees we can plant?
I have added some pictures of the area. As you can see, the hibiscus isn’t doing very well. They hate the cold season and they hate the hot season. I have other hibiscus types planted underneath shade cloth with cold weather protection, that grow really well, but it won’t work here, since it’s where we need plants to create shade.
Right now we have the rabbits in a tent, but it’s not ideal.
You could try planting Moringa or a drought-tolerant bamboo like Bambusa oldhamii—both grow fast, are heat-tolerant, provide effective shade, and the Moringa leaves can even be fed to rabbits!
