If you grow from seed I would stay away from preem. I tried to preem part of my yard then till in spring and plant bermuda and I still got 0 growth after breakingup the preem layer. There's also studies that suggest that pre-emergent interferes with root growth on young plants
To maintain a size of 3–4' w x 3–4' h, Knock Out® Roses should be cut back once a year to 12” high. Check your rose bush from time to time in late winter/early spring, and when you start to see new shoots growing from the canes on your rose bush, that's a good sign that it's time to prune.
People love a great looking, easy to grow shrub and trees! See (Leyland Cypress, Bradford pair, kO roses, and before most of yalls time, red tip photonia) they are great, until that disease finally gets to them or people realize how horrible of a plant they are! ( Bradford)
I'm glad the red tips got zapped they sucked in spring time.
I just looked up Arizona cypress. I am going to need a crap load of trees and shrubs for around the pool (not too close though). Privacy hedges etc. Probably gets too big but pretty for somewhere.
Green giants or emerald greens? I have planted both and are so different in size and how they look. I figured out I really have no need for such tall ones like the Green giants. Even for privacy. Love them both and the smell.....???
If you planted for zone 8, you be fine. I always like to be in the middle of recommended zones on plants, example Deodar Cedar is zone 6-9, which thrives in your zones. I never liked to be in last recommended zone, like Alberta spruce 2-7, if that makes any sense, cause it usually means they don’t tolerate heat well
Sunshine ligustrum is one of my new favorites! Great plant! Love tea olives also! Check out Newlifenursery, they are out of Pelzer SC, online and in person, good supply of unusual plants
I planted 15 after this past Christmas lol where it was so warm. Got a steal 5+ footers for 20 bucks each. I'll check in spring and see if they have anymore that cheap. You are about hour10 mins away from where I got them (Ramseur). Lowes/HD will charge you over 50-60 for one that size.
Look into the "Baby doll" and "Little Gem" mini-magnolia trees. My neighbor went that route for privacy. They require little to no maintenance...ever. plus they smell delicious.
Teddy bear is a good one too! Had it about 10 years only grew about 2-3’ of new growth and about a foot of width, from the time I planted it