Podocarpus – 15 Gallon

Podocarpus macrophyllus

Create instant height, privacy, and year-round structure with 15 Gallon Podocarpus, a classic evergreen shrub known for its narrow, upright habit and rich, glossy green foliage.

Podocarpus is one of the most versatile screening plants for Southern landscapes. It can be grown naturally as a tall evergreen specimen, planted in a row for privacy, or regularly pruned into a formal hedge. Its fine-textured foliage gives it a softer, more elegant look than many traditional screening shrubs.

Plant at a Glance

Botanical Name: Podocarpus macrophyllus
Common Names: Podocarpus, Japanese Yew, Yew Pine
Container Size: 15 Gallon
Plant Type: Large evergreen shrub or small tree
Annual or Perennial: Perennial
Evergreen or Deciduous: Evergreen
USDA Hardiness Zones: Approximately 7–10, depending on form and cultivar
Mature Height: Approximately 15–30+ feet tall when allowed to grow naturally; tree forms may become taller
Mature Width: Approximately 6–10 feet wide
Growth Habit: Upright, dense, columnar to pyramidal
Growth Rate: Slow to moderate
Sunlight: Full sun to part shade
Water Needs: Moderate while establishing; drought tolerant once established
Foliage: Narrow, leathery, glossy dark-green leaves
Flowers: No significant ornamental flowers
Bloom Season: Not grown for flowers
Fruit: Female plants may produce fleshy purple-blue seed structures with reddish stalks
Primary Feature: Evergreen screening and year-round structure

NC State Extension describes Podocarpus macrophyllus as a durable evergreen shrub or tree that performs in full sun to partial shade and is valued for hedging, screening, specimen use, and topiary.

Why We Love Podocarpus

Podocarpus is one of the best plants for creating a clean, upscale evergreen backdrop.

A 15-gallon plant gives you considerably more immediate height and presence than a smaller nursery size, making it a great option when you do not want to wait years for privacy.

Its narrow foliage works beautifully in both traditional and contemporary Southern landscapes.

Sunlight Requirements

Plant Podocarpus in:

Full sun to part shade

It performs well with approximately 4–6 or more hours of sunlight per day and can tolerate filtered shade.

Wright’s Market Recommendation

In southeast Georgia, Podocarpus is extremely versatile.

For the densest hedge or privacy screen, give it plenty of light.

In very hot locations with reflected afternoon heat, make sure newly installed plants receive adequate water while establishing.

Watering

Immediately After Planting

Water deeply after installation so the entire root ball is thoroughly saturated.

Because a 15-gallon Podocarpus has a large root ball, it is especially important that water reaches the entire root zone, not just the soil surface.

First Growing Season

Water deeply approximately 1–2 times per week, adjusting for:

• Rainfall
• Summer heat
• Soil drainage
• Sun exposure

During very hot or dry weather, newly planted shrubs may need additional irrigation.

Once Established

Podocarpus becomes drought tolerant once established. NC State also notes good heat and salt tolerance.

Deep, occasional watering is preferable to frequent shallow watering.

Avoid constantly saturated soil.

Fertilization

Fertilize in early spring as new growth begins.

Use a balanced, slow-release shrub and tree fertilizer according to package directions.

A second light feeding may be applied in early summer if needed.

Podocarpus can develop yellow foliage in soils that are too alkaline, so maintaining slightly acidic soil conditions is beneficial.

Planting Instructions

1. Water the Podocarpus thoroughly before planting.
2. Choose a location with full sun to part shade and enough room for its mature size.
3. Dig a hole approximately twice as wide as the root ball, but no deeper than the root ball.
4. Carefully remove the plant from its 15-gallon container.
5. Loosen tightly circling exterior roots if needed.
6. Position the top of the root ball level with or slightly above the surrounding grade.
7. Backfill with the existing soil.
8. Water deeply and slowly to settle the soil.
9. Apply approximately 2 inches of mulch or pine straw.
10. Keep mulch pulled several inches away from the trunk or main stems.

Important 15-Gallon Planting Tip

Large container plants are commonly planted too deeply.

The top of the original root ball should remain visible and should never be buried under several inches of soil or mulch.

Soil

Podocarpus prefers:

Moist but well-drained soil
Slightly acidic soil
Moderately fertile soil with organic matter

It does not perform well in continuously wet soil.

Once established, it becomes quite adaptable.

Pruning & Maintenance

Podocarpus responds extremely well to pruning.

It can be maintained as:

• A formal hedge
• Tall privacy screen
• Narrow upright specimen
• Topiary
• Small tree
• Natural evergreen backdrop

NC State notes that Podocarpus adapts well to shearing and is frequently used for hedges, screens, and topiary.

Best Time to Prune

Major shaping is best done in late winter or early spring.

Light trimming can be done throughout the growing season.

Wright’s Market Designer Tip

For a more sophisticated look, avoid repeatedly shearing Podocarpus into an extremely tight rectangular wall.

Selective pruning allows some natural texture to remain while still maintaining a clean shape.

Does Podocarpus Flower?

Podocarpus does not produce showy ornamental flowers.

Male plants produce small yellowish pollen cones, while female plants may eventually produce seeds attached to fleshy red-to-purple structures.

The plant is grown primarily for its:

Evergreen foliage
Height
Privacy
Architectural form

Evergreen or Deciduous?

Evergreen.

Podocarpus retains its attractive green foliage throughout the year, making it an excellent permanent backdrop for flowering shrubs and perennials.

Zone 9 / Coastal Georgia Performance

Podocarpus is an excellent choice for Zone 8b/9a and southeast Georgia.

It tolerates:

• Heat
• Humidity
• Coastal conditions
• Salt exposure
• Drought once established
• Full sun
• Part shade

NC State specifically notes its tolerance of heat, salt, and drought.

This makes it particularly useful around coastal properties, pool areas, and exposed Southern landscapes.

Landscape Uses

Podocarpus is excellent for:

• Privacy screens
• Evergreen hedges
• Property lines
• Pool screening
• Foundation backdrops
• Fence screening
• Entryway accents
• Specimen planting
• Formal gardens
• Topiary
• Large containers
• Creating separation between outdoor spaces

A 15-gallon Podocarpus is especially useful when you want a more established appearance immediately after installation.

Spacing

Spacing depends on whether you want individual plants or a continuous hedge.

For a Privacy Hedge

Plant approximately 3–5 feet apart, depending on the size of the plants and how quickly you want them to grow together.

For Individual Specimens

Allow approximately 6–10 feet or more for mature width.

Wright’s Market Tip

Do not judge spacing by the size of the 15-gallon container.

Always space according to the mature plant, not the nursery pot.

Beautiful Plant Pairings

Podocarpus makes an excellent dark-green backdrop for:

Flowering Shrubs
Endless Summer® Hydrangea
White Encore® Azaleas
Gardenias
Camellias
White Drift® Roses

Compact Evergreens
Soft Touch® Holly
Vintage Jade® Distylium
Babylon Beauty™ Boxwood

Color & Texture
Purple Pixie® Loropetalum
Carex ‘Everillo’
Big Blue Liriope
Asiatic Jasmine

Wright’s Market Designer Combination

Try:

Podocarpus privacy screen + white flowering shrubs + Soft Touch Holly + Big Blue Liriope

The Podocarpus provides tall evergreen structure, the flowering shrubs soften the middle layer, and the liriope creates a finished edge.

This combination gives a landscape a clean, layered Southern look that stays attractive year-round.

Why Wright’s Market Loves It

We love Podocarpus because it is one of the most dependable and versatile evergreen plants for Southern landscapes.

It gives homeowners:

Year-round privacy
Deep green foliage
Heat tolerance
Salt tolerance
Drought tolerance once established
Excellent pruning tolerance
Formal or natural styling options

A 15-gallon size is an especially good choice when you want immediate height and a more mature landscape appearance.

Wright’s Market Plant Tip

Give Podocarpus enough room to grow and decide from the beginning whether you want a natural screen or a maintained hedge.

That decision will determine your spacing and how much pruning the plants will need in the future.

Please note: Plant height, width, fullness, and overall appearance vary depending on season, cultivar, pruning, and growing conditions. A 15-gallon Podocarpus provides substantial starting size but will continue developing toward its mature height and width after planting.