Podocarpus / Yew Pine

{"key":"podo","id":"PLT-PODO-MACROPHYLLUS","slug":"podocarpus-yew-pine","name":"Podocarpus / Yew Pine","botanical":"Podocarpus macrophyllus","eyebrow":"MAINTAINED SCREEN / REGULAR PRUNING","benefit":"Choose the screen—and the upkeep together.","intro":"Dark evergreen foliage can create a calm background for outdoor living. Full-size podocarpus can be maintained as a hedge, but left to grow naturally it becomes a substantial tree. The design should account for both the desired look and the work needed to keep it.","h":[30,40],"w":[20,25],"install":[4,2],"maintained":[6,4],"color":"#3B5744","habit":"Large evergreen shrub or tree; trainable as a hedge","light":"Sun to part shade","lightTags":["sun","part"],"water":"Well-drained soil; avoid persistent wetness","season":"Evergreen narrow-leaved foliage","care":"Regular pruning for a maintained hedge","site":"Podocarpus is included in Santa Rosa County Extension’s local garden references. It can suit Pensacola-area beds with good drainage, but the ordinary species needs a very different space and maintenance plan from Pringles Dwarf.","sizeNote":"UF/IFAS gives a natural mature size of 30–40 ft high and 20–25 ft wide. The optional 6 ft by 4 ft maintained view is a LANDOVA hedge example that requires ongoing pruning—not a dwarf size, nursery specification or guaranteed root boundary. Confirm the exact species and cultivar before ordering.","uses":["A deliberately maintained evergreen screen","A calm background beyond a terrace","A formal garden edge with maintenance access","A natural small tree in a large planting area","A privacy layer planned with future upkeep"],"checks":[["Who will maintain the chosen height?","Decide how the hedge will be reached and pruned before placing it. A six-foot screen can become a taller job quickly if care is deferred. Design access on both sides where the property allows."],["What happens if it grows naturally?","Show the unpruned canopy on the plan as well as the desired hedge. Avoid planting beneath utilities or in a small space where future growth would force repeated severe cutting."],["Can people and equipment still get through?","The foliage edge is only one part of the layout. Preserve a clear walking route, access to pool equipment and a way to reach the wall or fence behind the screen."],["Will later construction disturb the roots?","Plan future utility routes and work access before installing a permanent hedge. The top-down circle shows canopy space, not the limits of underground roots or a safe trenching distance."]],"faq":[["Is this the same as Pringles Dwarf?","No. Pringles Dwarf is a separate compact selection with its own guide. A small pot of ordinary podocarpus does not make it a dwarf plant."],["Is the six-foot hedge view a mature-size guarantee?","No. It is an illustrative maintained size requiring regular pruning. The natural-size view shows why maintenance, access and exact plant identity belong in the design discussion."],["Are the fruits a snack for children or pets?","Do not treat the plant as edible landscaping. Podocarpus seeds are toxic; place and supervise accordingly where children or pets may mouth plant material."]],"sources":[["Santa Rosa County Extension · local podocarpus reference","https://sfyl.ifas.ufl.edu/media/sfylifasufledu/santa-rosa/docs/pdfs/demo-garden-5/Podocarpus.pdf"],["UF/IFAS · Podocarpus macrophyllus natural size and care","https://ask.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/ST495"],["UF/IFAS Extension · maintaining podocarpus hedges","https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/charlotteco/2022/11/17/the-multipurpose-podocarpus/"]],"companions":[{"slug":"pringles-dwarf-podocarpus","name":"Pringles Dwarf Podocarpus","title":"COMPARE THE NATURALLY SMALLER OPTION","reason":"Pringles Dwarf may fit a lower planting role with less pressure to control a full-size plant. Compare its mature dimensions before committing to a maintained species hedge.","image":{"id":"6a9f348a7400c99880e83809","url":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6a975baac0f352647862d847/6a9f348a7400c99880e83809_landova-shrub-pringles-context-r02.webp","alt":"Illustrative planting concept with Pringles Dwarf Podocarpus"}},{"slug":"rose-creek-abelia","name":"Rose Creek Abelia","title":"A FLOWERING FOREGROUND","reason":"Rose Creek can soften a sunny front layer. Leave a real maintenance aisle behind it so pruning the screen does not require stepping through the flowering shrub.","image":{"id":"6a9f29186dd776cdaf22637e","url":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6a975baac0f352647862d847/6a9f29186dd776cdaf22637e_landova-shrub-rose-context.webp","alt":"Illustrative planting concept with Rose Creek Abelia"}}],"wholeCaption":"Illustrative view of natural, unpruned podocarpus form. The hero concept shows a maintained hedge; these are different management choices for a large-growing plant.","detailCaption":"Illustration of long, narrow evergreen leaves. Confirm Podocarpus macrophyllus on the plant label; other yew-pine species and dwarf cultivars differ.","wholeFit":"contain","images":{"context":{"id":"6a9f4a4b6ec3ad07cb7d25e2","url":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6a975baac0f352647862d847/6a9f4a4b6ec3ad07cb7d25e2_landova-podo-context-r04.webp","alt":"Illustrative planting concept with Podocarpus / Yew Pine"},"whole":{"id":"6a9f4a4b4f259866ad3d52c5","url":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6a975baac0f352647862d847/6a9f4a4b4f259866ad3d52c5_landova-podo-whole-r04.webp","alt":"Illustrative view of Podocarpus / Yew Pine overall form","fit":"contain"},"detail":{"id":"6a9f4a4b6ec3ad07cb7d2610","url":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6a975baac0f352647862d847/6a9ff508a725fb36dd662024_landova-podo-detail-restored-r08.webp","alt":"Illustrative view of Podocarpus / Yew Pine foliage and seasonal detail"}},"caution":"A 6 × 4 ft hedge requires ongoing pruning. Natural size: 30–40 ft high × 20–25 ft wide."}