Why We Chose a Little Gem Magnolia Privacy Hedge
Discover why we chose Little Gem Magnolias to create a natural privacy hedge in our Texas Hill Country backyard.
Our Texas Hill Country Backyard
When we were first touring properties to move back to Texas Hill Country, this house really stood out to me because the backyard had so much potential BUT it need a little (okay, maybe A LOT) of love.
You could tell at one point in time this area was full of life and loved but over the years had fallen to a sad state.
It didn’t feel like “us.” I wanted it the backyard to be a beautiful space that we could enjoy as a family.
So we started day dreaming all the possibilities.
Bit by bit, we’ve been shaping the backyard into a space that feels like home, where the kids can run and play, the garden grows, and beauty greets us at the gate.
Our First Year: Battling the Bamboo
When I say our backyard was a bamboo forest when we moved it, I mean it.
The bamboo had taken over the majority of the yard over the years.
Rumor has it, the previous owners meant to buy a clumping bamboo, probably something like Heavenly Bamboo, to create a natural privacy wall between our yard and the neighbors.
But somewhere along the way, they accidentally bought the invasive kind instead. And honestly, if you’re not familiar with landscaping (or bamboo), it’s an easy mistake to make.
Long story short, the house sat at as rental for 10-15 years (depending upon which neighbor you talk to) and the bamboo took over the yard with no upkeep.
When we bought it last year, the backyard was the first thing we tackled.
We slowly started chopping down the bamboo, some of the bamboo was well over 20 feet tall.
My husband is 6ft tall, you can see how large this bamboo compared to him.
I’d like to say we’ve irradiated the bamboo but truth is, it’s still popping up all over the yard space where it was but we’re doing our best to mow it down until it gives up the battle.
All of our research has said that if we do a combination of pulling the rhizomes and mowing down new sprouts that in about 2-3 years we should have it irradiated so we’re in it for the long haul.
This Year’s Goal: Beauty & Purpose
After spending most of our first year here digging up bamboo and reclaiming the backyard, this spring felt like a fresh start.
With the hardest part behind us, I wanted to shift gears, from survival mode to intention.
My goal this year was simple: to create a backyard that’s not only beautiful, but purposeful too.
That meant thinking beyond quick fixes or temporary solutions and choosing projects that would grow with our family.
A space that felt inviting, functional, and full of life, from the plants we added to the memories we’d make here.
Why We Wanted a Privacy Hedge
When the bamboo came down, we were left with a completely open view into our neighbor’s yard and theirs into ours. While we genuinely love having great neighbors, we also craved a little more separation.
Not to block anyone out, but to create a cozy, defined space that felt more like ours.
A place where the kids could run wild, where we could sip coffee in pajamas, and where the backyard started to feel like an extension of our home.
We didn’t want a solid wall or anything that felt harsh, just something green, beautiful, and natural that could offer a bit of privacy while still feeling welcoming.
Why We Chose Little Gem Magnolias
At first, the obvious choice seemed like Texas Sage. It’s native, beautiful, and we already have sage bushes in the front yard that thrive without much effort. But we wanted something a little different for this space, something that felt softer and more timeless.
That’s when we started looking into evergreen shrubs. We took a trip to Milberger’s, our local nursery, and wandered through rows of beautiful plants, dreaming up possibilities.
Vines
Visiting Our Local Nursery for Inspiration
We briefly considered vines like jasmine or crossvine, especially since they grow well here and smell amazing. But with the vines needing a trellis or structure to climb, we realized they might become more of a hassle than a solution, especially if we ever decided to replace our fence in a few years. It felt like a waste to invest in something we might have to tear down.
And then that’s where we landed on a Little Gem Magnolia privacy hedge…
Little Gems in the Hill Country? Yes, and Here’s Why
While not native to our part of Texas, the Little Gem is a cultivar of the Southern Magnolia, which is native here.
I’d always loved their big, creamy blooms and the traditional feel they bring, but I had ruled them out thinking they were far too large for our yard.
After coming home and diving into research, I learned that Little Gem Magnolias are more compact, making them ideal for hedging.
They’re also drought tolerant once established and can thrive in both full sun and partial shade, exactly the conditions we have in our backyard.
One of our biggest goals for a privacy hedge was to choose something that was not only evergreen, but also beautiful, and Little Gem Magnolias deliver both, with their gloss green leaves and beautiful white blooms.
And in a lucky twist of timing, I happened to spot a fresh shipment of Little Gem Magnolias at our local grocery store a few days later.
I grabbed them right then and there, sometimes the best gardening plans come together in the most unexpected ways.
How We Planted Them & Our Set Up
We lined the entire right side of our backyard fence with 11 Little Gem Magnolias to eventually form a hedge over time. Each one stands between 2 to 4 feet tall, and a few already had buds just waiting to bloom, such a fun little surprise when you’re planting something new.
To prep the area, I went with a budget-friendly and eco-conscious option: cardboard. It’s a great alternative to traditional landscaping fabric, it helps suppress weeds, breaks down naturally over time, and improves the soil as it decomposes.
Once the cardboard was down, I covered it with a thick layer of brown mulch to hold in moisture and give everything a clean, finished look.
For a final touch, I repurposed some old stone edging we found around the yard. It helped define the space and gave the new hedge a more intentional feel without spending anything extra.
What We’re Hoping This Becomes
More than just a row of pretty trees, we’re hoping this little stretch of backyard grows into something layered with meaning.
A bit of privacy, yes, but also a backdrop for slow mornings, muddy feet, and swing-set giggles under the live oak.
We imagine these magnolias growing alongside our kids, offering shade and blooms and that soft feeling of home you can’t quite put into words.
With time, we hope this hedge brings a sense of peace and beauty to our space, a living wall that reminds us how much joy can come from digging in, planting roots, and watching things grow.
The Start of Something Beautiful
Right now, it’s just a row of small magnolia trees and some fresh mulch, but for us, it’s the start of something beautiful. A space that’s no longer about clearing out what was left behind, but about planting what we want to grow, literally and figuratively.
Be sure to check back for updates as our Little Gem Magnolia hedge grows, fills in, and (hopefully!) bursts into bloom over the seasons.
If you’re in a season of reclaiming your space, dreaming up new corners of beauty, or simply figuring it out one project at a time…
I hope this encourages you to start where you are. Even a single row of trees can be the beginning of something meaningful.
What are you planting, big or small, this season? I’d love to hear about it in the comments.
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From our backyard to yours, happy planting!
Xoxo, Tandra
