We really need state and city rather than zone, because 8a in Oregon is not 8a in New York or Ohio.
And what is your idea of "low maintenance"? Pruning? Spraying?
Carla in Sac

Lots of options...you might look at One Green World nursery for ideas. I've ordered blueberries, figs, gooseberries, goumi berries. The plants are healthy and their customer service is great.

Cane fruits (blackerries and rasperries and their hybrids) do best in areas with cooler summers and mild winters. And are best planted as bare root starts in early spring, not in fall.

And in zone 8a, figs are trees, not small bushes. And all fruits require routine maintenance to be healthy and productive.

Figs are indeed very large trees. I included it in my list to illustrate various fruiting plants that I've ordered from this nursery, not necessarily as a recommendation of what to plant. Sorry for the confusion.

Raintree Nursery is an excellent source for mail order. But be sure to check for locational suitability first. Not all fruits grow equally well in all areas

I ordered my berry plants from Norse Farm.

Thank you for your suggestions. I'm located in Virginia Beach, VA. Zip 23451

Additionally, I'm not worried about routine maintenance. I made that comment because I have a decent size home garden already, and would prefer something that wouldn't add too much more of a workload. Pruning and spraying is fine by me.

I'm located about 300 yards from the beach, so my soil is very sandy and well draining. I have a great unused area along the edge of the house that receives partial shade throughout the day and 4-6 hours of full sun. Was thinking the shade would provide the cooler summer conditions some eluded to for cane fruits.

Hope this information helps those trying to provide additional information/suggestions. Your thoughts are greatly appreciated!

Blackberry, blueberry, fig (you can prune to Bush) pomegranate, muscadine (need trellis) Gerardi dwarf mulberry. check the garden watchdog at Dave’s garden before ordering anywhere

My fig dies to the ground every winter and comes up as a shrub every spring. I prune the smaller stems out. I don't always get fruit--and I never get much, but looks like I will this year.

I second the recommendation of Indiana Plant and Berry. Its a very reliable company.

I'm in zone 5, and my raspberries thrive here with absolutely no winter protection. I grow "Caroline". Blueberries are also hardy up here and pretty much trouble-free.