Yew Podocarpus
Podocarpus macrophyllus
Also listed as Nageia macrophylla
Also known as Yew Pine, Buddhist Pine, Japanese Yew
Climate Match for your location
See how well Yew Podocarpus grows in your area.
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A slow-growing evergreen conifer with dense, feathery foliage and an upright form, commonly used as a screen or specimen plant. Podocarpus macrophyllus is cold-hardy, deer-resistant, and tolerates pruning well for formal hedging or topiary.
Why grow it
Podocarpus macrophyllus fills a niche for gardeners seeking a narrow, formal evergreen screen in temperate to subtropical climates where it outperforms many columnar conifers in shade tolerance and soil adaptability. Unlike slower cypress or arborvitae cultivars, it establishes reasonably well in partial shade and handles both sandy and clay soils, making it useful where site conditions limit other upright evergreen options.
Watch out for
Growth rate varies considerably with climate and soil conditions, so expect slower establishment in cooler regions or poor drainage. This plant benefits from consistent moisture during its first few years and may develop sparse lower foliage in deep shade, requiring thoughtful siting for optimal form.
Overview
- Form
- Growth Rate
- Size
- Dormancy
- Family
- Podocarpaceae
Native Range
Japan and southern China
Seasonality
Season of Interest
Notable Cultivars
'Maki' is the most popular compact cultivar, reaching 6–10 feet, while 'Weeping' has graceful drooping branches for a softer form.
Sub-canopy
Smaller trees living beneath the canopy.
Succession Role
Tolerances & Soil
Flood Tolerance
pH Range
Soil Texture
Establishment & Care
- Establishment
- Maintenance
- Propagation
A slow-growing evergreen conifer with dense, feathery foliage and an upright form, commonly used as a screen or specimen plant. Podocarpus macrophyllus is cold-hardy, deer-resistant, and tolerates pruning well for formal hedging or topiary.
Climate Match for your location
See how well Yew Podocarpus grows in your area.
Enter your ZIP code and we'll show you how this plant fits your local climate.
Why grow it
Podocarpus macrophyllus fills a niche for gardeners seeking a narrow, formal evergreen screen in temperate to subtropical climates where it outperforms many columnar conifers in shade tolerance and soil adaptability. Unlike slower cypress or arborvitae cultivars, it establishes reasonably well in partial shade and handles both sandy and clay soils, making it useful where site conditions limit other upright evergreen options.
Watch out for
Growth rate varies considerably with climate and soil conditions, so expect slower establishment in cooler regions or poor drainage. This plant benefits from consistent moisture during its first few years and may develop sparse lower foliage in deep shade, requiring thoughtful siting for optimal form.
Overview
- Form
- Growth Rate
- Size
- Dormancy
- Family
- Podocarpaceae
Native Range
Japan and southern China
Seasonality
Season of Interest
Sub-canopy
Smaller trees living beneath the canopy.
Succession Role
Tolerances & Soil
Flood Tolerance
pH Range
Soil Texture
Establishment & Care
- Establishment
- Maintenance
- Propagation
Similar sub-canopy trees you might consider:
Enter your ZIP code to see top native species and strong climate fits for you.
Companion Planting
Plants well with
Notable Cultivars
'Maki' is the most popular compact cultivar, reaching 6–10 feet, while 'Weeping' has graceful drooping branches for a softer form.