The evergreen genus Podocarpus, often referred to as Buddhist Pine or Yew Podocarpus, is a popular choice for creating dense privacy screens and hedges in landscaping. Its attractive, dark green, needle-like foliage provides year-round structure and a refined appearance. Understanding the growth habits of this plant is important for anyone considering it for a screening project. This article will explore the specifics of its growth rate, the environmental conditions that influence its speed, and the maintenance required.
Defining the Growth Rate of Podocarpus
The growth rate of Podocarpus is generally categorized as moderate, though it can accelerate to a fast pace under optimal conditions. For the most common variety, Podocarpus macrophyllus, a growth rate of 12 to 24 inches (one to two feet) per year is typical in a landscape setting. This pace is sufficient for establishing a sizable screen without the extremely rapid and sometimes unwieldy growth seen in other fast-growing privacy plants.
Specific cultivars exhibit different growth speeds and final sizes. For instance, the dwarf variety Podocarpus macrophyllus ‘Maki’ is significantly slower, reaching a final height of only 8 to 15 feet over many years, which makes it suitable for smaller spaces. The overall growth rate is highly dependent on whether the plant is grown from seed or from cuttings. When planted in ideal conditions and given consistent care, the plant’s growth can push toward the upper end of the two-foot annual range.
Environmental Factors That Influence Speed
Achieving the maximum potential growth rate for Podocarpus depends on providing specific environmental conditions, particularly concerning light, soil, and moisture. The plant performs best in a location that receives full sun to partial shade. While it can tolerate more shade, growth will become slower and the foliage may appear looser and less dense, compromising its function as a privacy screen.
The best soil for maximizing growth is one that is moist, rich, and well-drained. Although the plant is adaptable to a variety of soil types, it should not be placed in continually wet or soggy areas, which can lead to root issues. To support rapid growth, the soil should ideally be slightly acidic. High-alkaline conditions can sometimes cause nutrient deficiencies, appearing as yellowing leaves with green veins, known as chlorosis.
Consistent moisture is necessary, especially while the plant is young and establishing its root system. Once established, Podocarpus exhibits good drought tolerance, but a lack of water will limit its growth potential. Applying a balanced fertilizer during the spring and summer growing seasons can provide the necessary nutrients to fuel faster growth. Excessive or incorrect fertilization can sometimes cause weak, elongated growth instead of a dense, bushy habit.
Managing Rapid Growth and Size
The plant’s moderate-to-fast growth means that regular maintenance is required to keep a Podocarpus hedge at a desired size and shape. Pruning is the primary method for controlling height and encouraging the dense foliage that makes it an effective screen. A young hedge should have its tips and sides lightly trimmed often to promote a bushy, full appearance from the ground up.
For formal hedges, multiple prunings per year are necessary due to the plant’s consistent growth throughout the warm season. When trimming, it is important to maintain a slight taper, where the top of the hedge is narrower than the bottom. This ensures sunlight reaches the lower branches and keeps the entire hedge dense.
If left unmanaged, the most common species, P. macrophyllus, can quickly exceed typical residential landscape needs, reaching heights of 30 to 40 feet. Regular pruning is not only for aesthetics but also a technique to redirect the plant’s energy, causing it to fill out horizontally and become thicker. Pruning should be avoided in the late fall, as the resulting tender new growth can be vulnerable to cold damage during winter.