Podocarpus Shrub - Podocarpus macrophyllus

Podocarpus Shrub (Podocarpus macrophyllus)

The Podocarpus is a versatile evergreen that brings year-round structure and elegance to any landscape. With its soft needle-like foliage, attractive blue berries, and natural upright form, this resilient plant thrives with minimal attention while remaining highly responsive to pruning. Buy Podocarpus online and enjoy a multi-purpose specimen that works equally well as a living fence, windbreak, or striking focal point in containers.

Landscaping Uses

Plant your Podocarpus as a privacy screen, property border, or dense hedge thanks to its naturally compact growth habit. Its narrow root system makes it ideal for confined spaces and container gardening, while its upright branching creates striking vertical accents in garden beds. This plant also serves beautifully as a windbreak and attracts wildlife through its ornamental blue berries that emerge in summer months.

Specifications

Height: Varies (8–15 feet when mature)
Width: 3–6 feet
Growth Rate: Slow
Sun: 4–8 hours daily
Water: Moderate; regular watering needed during establishment
Soil: Well-draining
USDA Zones: 9–11

Why Homeowners Love It

• Shape it your way—responds beautifully to pruning for hedges, screens, or tree-form specimens
• Remarkably hardy and disease-resistant with minimal maintenance demands
• Produces decorative blue berries that add visual interest and attract birds
• Tolerates challenging conditions and adapts to various growing environments

Planting & Care

Select a location receiving at least 4 to 8 hours of sunlight daily. Dig a planting hole 2 to 3 times wider than the root ball, position your Podocarpus, backfill with soil, and water thoroughly to settle the earth. During the first growing seasons, provide deep waterings once or twice weekly; check soil moisture 2 to 3 inches down and water when dry. Once established, reduce watering frequency while maintaining moderate moisture. Apply balanced fertilizer in early spring to support healthy growth, and prune annually to achieve your desired shape and size.