1. Blackjack Hedge Plant Crossword Clue
2. Blackjack Hedge Plant Identification
3. Blackjack Hedge Plant Pictures
4. Blackjack Hedge Plant Spacing

Every homeowner wants to have some privacy at home, both inside and out. The landscape can offer another form of privacy. Building a fence of stone, wood, or wire is one way to do it. Growing natural privacy hedges with greenery and foliage that is attractive and environmentally-friendly is another.

Today we're looking at the top 3 hedge plants for Southern California! Podocarpus gracilior (Fern Pine), Ligustrum japonicum (Japanese Privet) & Dodonaea pu. Blackjack OakQuercus marilandica Rarely more than one foot in diameter or more than 40 feet high with short, stout, often contorted branches forming a dense crown. Acorns are food of wild turkey and white- tailed deer.

Many homeowners don’t like the fencing option because it takes a lot of time, effort, and money to install. Plus, fences don’t provide aesthetically pleasing scenery in your yard like hedges and bushes.

Grow your own privacy screen with attractive leaves and flowers of deciduous plants and evergreens that you can enjoy year round. It just takes minimal time and effort to get the privacy you want.

Maintenance for Privacy Hedges

There are two ways to determine what are the best hedges for privacy for your property – formal or informal. Formal privacy hedge trees need to be sheared and shaped every year to look neat and tidy and to form a “perfect” hedge.

On the other hand, informal fast growing evergreen bushes or shrubs for privacy, only need low-maintenance care year-round. Occasional pruning, if any, may help to provide a little shape to your hedge but it is not required.

If you prefer to go with privacy hedges that offer a variety of maintenance care options, that’s okay, too; be mindful of what to plant together when the time comes so that the plants complement each other in appearance and in growing style.

If you install hedge plants for privacy around your home, think about maintenance, location, size, and hardiness zones. After you iron out these details, you’ll be ready to plant the perfect privacy hedges.

Location for Hedge Plants

The site of your fast-growing shrubs and privacy hedge plants is critical. One crucial detail to note is that the roots of most trees and shrubs grow laterally down into the ground. The bigger the bush, the longer the roots will be.

We do not recommend planting large privacy hedge plants near driveways, sidewalks, pools, or foundations; if the fast-growing shrubs grow here, it’s likely that the cement and landscape will crack over time and require extensive repair. You may even need to cut down the hedge plants in these areas to keep from incurring even more damage.

What are the Best Hedges for Privacy? Size Selection

When selectingall year round plants and shrubs for privacy, choose an appropriate size for your landscape; the mature size of the hedge plants will matter the most. If you have questions concerning the final size of your plants or shrubs, ask a gardening specialist. Often, the tags that wrap around the plants at a nursery have this information.

Hardiness Zones for Your Privacy Hedges

Hardiness zones vary depending on where you live. Hedges that thrive in hot weather will likely not do as well in colder climates. Do some research to figure out which plants will thrive at your home before heading to the gardening center to make your selection. Before planting, get rid of plant flies and clear the land of weeds.

These zones will also determine how much maintenance you’ll have to perform on your shrubs annually. The new growth and growth rates are affected by the type of soil, how much rainfall the area receives, and the overall climate.

Typically, fast-growing evergreen shrubs for privacy require more maintenance to look presentable. Otherwise, they can appear spindly and unattractive.

Both flowering shrubs and deciduous plants flake off debris like dead leaves and flowers during the summer and fall months. Once again, hardiness zones determine how much maintenance is needed and how much waste will come off.

Slow Growing Hedge Plants

Privacy hedges do not all grow at the same rate. Some growing conditions require several years of maintenance, whereas others only take a couple of years to reach maximum height.

Doing a little research in advance and checking out the plants listed here will help you find the best fast growing privacy shrubs for your yard. Note the soil, watering, and sunlight requirements for each one and determine what will work better for your property. Pretty soon you’ll have a nice hedge that offers shade and privacy!

Low Maintenance Privacy Hedges for Your Backyard

Berkman’s Golden Arborvitae (Thuja Orientalis)

The Berkman Golden Arborvitae is an evergreen shrub that grows to five feet tall. This dense hedge stays a golden color year-round and does not require pruning.

These evergreen trees grow to an oval shape and produce a plethora of cones all year. During the winter, the bronzing is minimal, but once the summer months come along, these medium-sized hedges have a beautiful display. Mainly, the south and southeast welcome this type of evergreen hedge.

Camellia Japonica (Camellia Japonica)

The Camellia Japonica is a flowering, broadleaf evergreen that reaches a height between twelve and twenty feet. They typically grow to a width of ten to fifteen feet.

These native Japanese flowering trees bloom with white, pink, red, lavender, or yellow flowers. The Camellia Japonica shrubs do not do well in winter. Research your hardiness zone to see if it’s compatible with these beautiful shrubs before planting them, as they are not capable of growing outdoors year-round.

Japanese Yew (Taxus Cuspidata)

Japanese Yew are tall bushes for privacy surrounding your landscape. Their column shape reaches a height of about thirty feet tall, sometimes more. These trees showcase dark green leaves and can act as a foundation plant or an accent plant.

We recommend that they are in full sun for at least six hours per day, with access to sporadic shade. This suggestion may make it harder to choose the location of the tree, but it’s best to know full sun requirements before planting.

Saucer Magnolia (Magnolia X soulangeana)

The Saucer Magnolia can be a single deciduous shrub, or you can group it with other similar shrubs for a full hedge display. If you don’t prune these shade trees, they’ll grow to twenty to thirty feet tall.

This type of magnolia tree showcases low branches with larger, saucer-shaped flowers (hence its name). These spring flowers blossom and display beautiful white, pink, and purple shades that are highlighted by dark green leaves. Moist soil promotes optimal growth.

Medium Growing Privacy Hedges

Every homeowner has different preferences when it comes to the growth rate of their privacy hedges. If you’re not willing to wait for your plants to grow, choose one of these evenly paced trees.

Dense Yew (Taxus X Media)

These evergreen bushes for privacy typically grow up to six feet tall. The Dense Yew is very wide, growing outward with dense foliage and branches. We recommend regular pruning of these bushes.

This Yew displays bright green, needle-like extensions that group together to form a growing hedge. They do require full sun for optimum growth but do not shy away from partial shade throughout the day. A medium supply of water every week is what these plants need to survive comfortably.

French Lilac (Syringa Vulgaris)

The French Lilac is a deciduous shrub that grows anywhere from eight and fifteen feet tall. New shoots grow throughout its life, leading to a broader spread; keep this in mind when selecting a locale to plant the hedge.

These beautiful shrubs are perfect for both privacy and scenery. They bloom an array of fragrant flowers, including pink, purple, and white. The French Lilac reaches full bloom during April and May and requires minimal maintenance to keep it looking fresh and clean.

What are the Best Hedges for Privacy? Sweet Olive (Osmanthus fragrans) Trees

The Sweet Olive evergreen tree typically grows to ten feet tall and eight feet wide. These broadleaf trees are drought tolerant once they are fully developed, and thrive in well-drained garden soils. Full sun and part shade give them optimal growing patterns.

The Osmanthus Fragrans is named due to its apricot fragrant-scented, white flowers that bloom in April. Pruning is not required but suggested to maintain an average compact size. The bushes are usually grouped to form hedges, but they can act as a single plant, too.

Wax Myrtle (Myrica Cerifera)

The Wax Myrtle typically grows to be eight feet wide by eight feet tall. These large, irregularly-shaped trees can be pruned to hold the shape you desire.

This dense-branched tree tolerates salty environments rather well. Wax Myrtles typically grow in the south, but they need to be placed strategically, as they are a potential fire hazard to the environment.

The leaves, stems, and branches of these privacy hedges contain flammable aromatic compounds. The fruits that grow from the Wax Myrtle species contribute to recipes for candles, soap, and wax.

What are the Best Hedges for Privacy? – Leyland Cypress (Cupressocyparis Leylandii)

The Leyland Cypress tree is a green giant native to North America. These conifer evergreens can grow up to fifty feet tall and twenty feet wide. For optimum growth, they require full to partial sun daily. We do not recommend an abundance of shade for these privacy hedges.

It’s best to plant these evergreen bushes in spring and summer. Once the plant is grounded, water it regularly for a few months until it is stable. If you typically fertilize the plants in your yard, that’s okay; feed the Leyland Cypress in the spring for the best growth rates.

Bay Laurel (Laurus Nobilis)

Bay Laurel trees are native to the Mediterranean Islands. These aromatic evergreen hedges take on a pyramid shape and grow as tall as sixty feet. Many homeowners prune the trees down to eight feet tall for gardening purposes.

No severe insect-related problems affect Bay Laurel shrubs, but spider mites may occasionally appear during humid months. The female version of the Bay Laurel tree buds flowers annually, producing single-seeded purple-black berries.

Wax Leaf Privet (Ligustrum Japonicum)

The Wax Leaf Privet evergreen shrub typically grows in any landscape format but prefers to be rooted in southern and western soils. These trees have a wide range of shapes, leaving homeowners to decide how to prune them; most pruning techniques shape the trees into a cone or globe-like form.

Luckily, these evergreen privacy hedges flourish all year-round with their dense foliage. They don’t fully blossom until springtime. These easy-to-grow, low-maintenance hedge plants are perfect for privacy screens and windbreaks.

Red Twig Dogwood (Cornus sericea)

These deciduous shrubs can grow up to eight feet tall, spreading several feet wide. During the winter months, the Red Twig Dogwood showcases vibrant red twigs; during the summer months, it displays delicate white flowers.

These hedge plants thrive in wet-soil and enjoy frequent watering. The Red Twig Dogwood can adapt to almost any temperature, as long as it’s not scorching hot outside. If temperatures are too high, the shrub can develop canker.

American Cranberry Bush (Viburnum Trilobum)

Cranberry Bushes grow anywhere from six to ten feet tall. They survive through the majority of temperature changes, but they do not produce as much fruit in cold climates. White flowers grow during spring months, red berries grow during summer months, and small amounts of winter berries grow during the winter.

These informal hedges need to be trimmed regularly so that the berries do not sink into the foliage. Many wildlife creatures eat the berries as a food source.

Forsythia (Forsythia X Intermedia)

The Forsythia reaches heights as tall as ten feet if not pruned, growing outward to about ten feet wide. When spring comes around, these hedge plants produce an array of beautiful yellow flowers. They typically bloom in March and April.

These hedges adapt to a wide range of soils, producing a high supply of flowers when placed in areas of the yard that get full sun. If you’ve planted one, or several of these trees in your yard, keep the plant up to date on trimming so that the tree can blossom accordingly.

Privacy hedges are essential and necessary for your home, especially if you live in close quarters with neighbors. Planting the right ones for your landscape is a critical move for many homeowners. Learning some of the best privacy hedge options will get you started in your endeavors, and once you figure in your location, size, and maintenance, you’ll be ready to plant.

We hope you found our tips and tricks on fast-growing shrubs and privacy hedges useful. If you enjoyed our advice on what are the best hedges for privacy, please share our hedge plant advice with your family and friends on Facebook and Pinterest.

Podocarpus plants are coniferous shrubs with dense evergreen foliage that make excellent lush, bushy low-maintenance hedges. The species Podocarpus macrophyllus also goes by the names fern pine, yew plum pine, and Buddhist pine. Although the Podocarpus plant is commonly called the Japanese yew, it’s not a true member of the Taxaceae family, which the yew belongs to.

Blackjack Hedge Plant Crossword Clue

Other types of conifers in the family Podocarpaceae are trees and bushy shrubs. For example, the Podocarpus tree (Podocarpus gracilior / Afrocarpus gracilior) is a medium-sized tree that grows in tropical countries. Or, the dwarf Podocarpus (Podocarpus macrophyllus ‘Pringles’) is a low-growing shrub for formal hedges.

In this article, you’ll learn how to grow and care for a Podocarpus hedge. Thanks to its long leathery leaves, dense foliage, and adaptability, this hardy evergreen shrub is an ideal garden landscape shrub.

About Podocarpus Plant

Podocarpus macrophyllus shrubs can be trimmed to control their height and to create a privacy hedge

Podocarpus macrophyllus is a slow-growing, hardy shrub-like tree. The Japanese yew pine has upright, pyramidal growth and grows to between 20 and 40 ft. (6 – 12 m) high. With trimming, you can keep the yew plum pine at a manageable height of 8 to 10 ft. (2.4 – 3 m).

Podocarpus hedges grow best in full sun to partial shade and are ideal shrubs for zones 7 to 10. The yew pines don’t survive cold winters. So, if you live in colder climates, you can grow the shrubs in containers and bring them indoors in winter.

Podocarpus macrophyllus plants thrive in rich, slightly acidic soil that has excellent drainage. Pine yews don’t need much watering and are relatively drought-resistant, making them an easy-care evergreen bushy shrub.

Growing a Podocarpus Hedge

Podocarpus macrophyllus is an ideal shrub for privacy screens, hedges, windbreaks, or natural evergreen barriers. Plant the Podocarpus (Japanese yew pine) shrubs about 2 feet (60 cm) apart and trim them regularly to create a hedgerow. With regular trimming, the Podocarpus shrubs become a beautiful formal soft hedge with thick, dense growth.

What Is Podocarpus Maki (Podocarpus macrophyllus ‘Maki’)

Podocarpus Maki has a dense evergreen foliage and is ideal as a hedge plant

The Podocarpus Maki is an evergreen shrub with upright growth. The small bushy pine yew grows between 6 and 8 ft. (1.8 – 2.4 m) and has a columnar shape. The evergreen shrub looks like a cross between a yew tree and a pine tree.

The Podocarpus Maki is an ideal hedge shrub. The dense foliage adapts well to heavy trimming, and it’s possible to shape its growth. Planting these yew shrubs together can help create an evergreen hedge with attractive fragrant foliage. In colder zones, these Podocarpus shrubs are ideal as container plants.

To grow a Podocarpus Maki shrub, plant it in fertile, slightly acidic soil. Outdoors, the compact hedge shrub prefers full sun or partial shade. However, the evergreen hedge also grows in full shade. The most critical care aspect is to avoid the shrub’s roots sitting in wet soil. So, planting in well-draining ground is vital for growing compact Maki Podocarpus shrubs.

Growing a Podocarpus Tree (Podocarpus gracilior)

Podocarpus gracilior tree (left) and sheared dwarf tree as a hedge (right)

Podocarpus trees (Podocarpus gracilior) are medium-sized evergreen conifers with a pyramidal shape. Also called weeping Podocarpus trees or African fern trees, the tree has soft, dense evergreen foliage. The slow-growing shade tree grows up to 40 ft. (12 m) high. Podocarpus weeping trees thrive in zones 9 – 11.

Prune the tips of the leaves of Podocarpus trees in the summer if you want to shape the ornamental tree and to encourage fuller growth.

Dwarf Podocarpus (Podocarpus macrophyllus ‘Pringles’)

The dwarf Podocarpus evergreen plant is an ideal compact shrub for ornamental garden landscapes. The small bushy plant has a natural mounded form that’s perfect for low-growing hedges and specimen plants. The short Podocarpus shrub has soft needle-like foliage and grows well in zones 9 and 10.

Dwarf Podocarpus plants grow well in full sun to partial shade. This shrubby plant has a short height and doesn’t require much pruning. However, you can trim the foliage to create a low formal hedge or shape the plant. To grow a low hedge, plant the dwarf Podocarpus shrubs about 2 feet (60 cm) apart.

How to Plant Podocarpus Hedge

Create Podocarpus hedges and lush privacy screens by planting the Podocarpus shrubs close together. The needle-like leaves have a dark green color, and they respond well to trimming. Plant the Japanese yew hedges in the sun or shade and ensure that the ground is fertile and drains well.

Here is what you need to know about planting a Podocarpus hedge:

• Plant a Podocarpus plant in fertile soil that has excellent drainage. If the Podocarpus shrub’s needles lose their color, it’s a sign of overwatering.
• Create a dense evergreen hedgerow by planting Podocarpus shrubs about 2 feet (60 cm) apart. Once established, clip or trim the Japanese yew’s foliage to grow a dense hedge.
• When trimming Podocarpus shrubs for hedges, don’t shear the plant’s sides as they need to grow together. Trim the Podocarpus pine yew so that the top is always a little smaller than the base.
• Grow Podocarpus shrubs in full sun or partial shade. However, don’t worry if the Japanese yew is in the shade as this is also a shade-tolerant plant.
• Make sure the area for growing a Podocarpus hedge is large enough. Pine yew hedges can grow up to 8 ft. (2.4 m) tall with a wide spread.
• Plant Podocarpus macrophyllus as a hedge plant in zones 9 to 11. Remember that pine yews are not cold-hardy and don’t survive frost.
• When planting a Podocarpus hedge, the essential care aspect is appropriate watering. After planting a new Podocarpus hedge shrub, only water it enough to keep the soil moist.
• Pests and diseases rarely affect Podocarpus plant growth.

How to Plant Podocarpus for Landscaping

Podocarpus plants can create a vertical focal point in a landscaped garden

Podocarpus trees and shrubs are excellent landscaping plants for your front or backyard. These easy-care ornamental plants make ideal hedgerows, tall hedges, privacy screens, shade trees, or patio container plants.

Small Podocarpus trees and shrubs make beautiful ornamental shaped plants in the yard. Their upright, columnar, or pyramidal growth means that they are ideal specimen trees. You can trim Podocarpus trees to create a ball of foliage on a bare stem, prune the branches for spiral foliage, or create other interesting shapes.

Podocarpus Plant Care

Podocarpus shrubs are low-maintenance plants that are easy to care for in garden landscapes. Water the plant well, allowing the ground to dry out between watering. In sandy soils, add Epsom salt (magnesium sulfate) to prevent a magnesium deficiency. Trim the Podocarpus hedge’s foliage in the summer to keep a neat shape.

Here is some more advice on caring for Japanese yew shrubs.

Light Requirements for Growing Podocarpus Hedge

Podocarpus shrubs thrive in full sun to partial shade. The pine yew hedge prefers getting around six hours of sun a day. However, because these tree-like shrubs are adaptable, they will also grow in the shade. The plant’s growth may slow down if there’s not enough sunshine.

Planting a Podocarpus Japanese yew in full sun results in bushier growth. You’ll also notice that the soft, thin needle leaves have a lighter appearance when the pine yew grows in bright sunshine. Growing in the shade, the plant’s foliage can be sparse, and the leaf color dark green.

Blackjack Hedge Plant Identification

The Best Soil for Podocarpus Plant Care

Grow Podocarpus plants in well-draining slightly acidic soil

Podocarpus plants grow best in fertile, slightly acidic soil that is well-draining. But you don’t need to be too fussy where you plant a pine yew bush. The hardy, drought-tolerant shrubs tolerate acidic and neutral soils. You can plant the shrubs in coastal locations as they have moderate salt tolerance.

Podocarpus hedges have a few specific care needs when it comes to the right kind of soil. Here are some of the soil types that can affect Podocarpus hedge growth:

Sandy or loamy soils—Sandy soil can lack magnesium, which is necessary for Podocarpus hedges to thrive. If necessary, add some magnesium sulfate or Epsom salt to help boost the hedge’s growth.

Alkaline soil—Podocarpus shrubs can develop yellow leaves in heavily alkaline soils. Try amending your garden soil with peat moss to improve leaf color on a yellowing Podocarpus.

Wet soil—Yew pines don’t grow well in wet, boggy ground. The ornamental Podocarpus shrubs perform better in moist, but well-draining sandy soil.

Watering Podocarpus Hedges

Podocarpus yew hedges have average water needs. These hardy, drought-tolerant pine yews need moist, but not damp soil to grow. Before the plants are established, they require regular watering. However, established Podocarpus hedges don’t need much water. Just hydrate the Japanese yew often enough to keep the ground moist.

To water Podocarpus shrubs, it’s best to water the soil, not the leaves. Watering from above can result in leaf mold or mildew and spoil the hedge’s appearance.

The best time to water your lush hedge is in the morning. This way, the roots receive proper hydration, and there are fewer issues with fungal diseases.

Temperature and Humidity for Growing Podocarpus Shrubs

Podocarpus fern pines prefer outdoor temperatures between 61°F and 75°F (16°C – 23°C). Japanese yews are not cold hardy, so you shouldn’t grow them as hedges where the temperature drops below 55°F (12°C). Podocarpus hedges are ideal for USDA growing zones 9 to 11.

Species of plants in the genus Podocarpus prefer medium humidity. So, the warm, humid conditions of states such as Florida are perfect for planting Japanese yew hedges.

Blackjack Hedge Plant Pictures

If you live in colder climates, dwarf Podocarpus, Japanese yews, or bonsai Podocarpus trees are stunning container plants. Keep the plant pots in a warm, sunny spot, but protected from intense sunlight. Water the potting mix just enough to keep the soil slightly moist.

When to Prune Podocarpus Tree

Trim Podocarpus trees in the summer to encourage secondary growth and then in the fall to encourage new spring growth. Pruning Podocarpus trees and shrubs allows you to create ornaments and shapely landscape trees. You can prune Podocarpus tree foliage into round shapes, cones, or columns.

Blackjack Hedge Plant Spacing

The only pruning that Podocarpus hedges require is light trimming in the summer. Lightly trim the foliage from the top, front, and back of the hedgerow and allow the side growth to grow together. With the right care and trimming techniques, you can create a soft informal hedge or a compact, stunning formal evergreen hedge.

Although it’s a shrub, you can prune the Podocarpus macrophyllus ‘Maki’ into a compact, upright columnar tree.

Fully grown Podocarpus macrophyllus trees can be pruned into ornamental shapes such as cloud pruning

Fertilizer Needs for Podocarpus Hedges

Podocarpus hedge shrubs are not heavy feeders and don’t always require additional fertilization. Fertilize the fern pine hedge three times a year—spring, summer, and fall. Use a balanced 6-6-6 fertilizer for Podocarpus shrubs and hedges. This ‘plant food’ provides the right amounts of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium.

In addition to the necessary nutrients for healthy hedge growth, Podocarpus hedges benefit from extra iron and sulfur. These additional nutrients help keep the foliage healthy and green.

If you have mainly sandy or loamy soil in your garden, then a Podocarpus privacy screen could suffer from magnesium deficiency. You can increase magnesium levels in the ground by using an Epsom salt solution for plants two or three times a year.

Propagating Podocarpus Shrubs

You can use softwood cuttings from a Podocarpus shrub to propagate new plants. To propagate the plant, cut off new soft growth from a healthy plant. Keep the end of the stem cuttings moist until roots form. Then you can plant the rooted cutting in your garden to extend your hedge.

Here is how to propagate a Podocarpus shrub:

1. In summer, take a stem cutting from a healthy Podocarpus plant about 5” (15 cm) from the tip.
2. Remove all leaves from the pine yew’s stem apart from a few leaves at the stem’s tip.
3. Dip the cut end of the Japanese yew in a rooting hormone.
4. Plant the Podocarpus cutting in a container that has well-draining, light potting mix—one part peat and one part perlite is ideal.
5. Keep the potting mix moist while the plant takes root.

Because rooting cuttings from evergreen shrubs can be tricky, it is probably easier to buy small Podocarpus shrubs from your local plant nursery to grow in your yard.

Pests Affecting Podocarpus Plant Growth

The primary plant pests to affect Podocarpus hedges are aphids and scale insects. Podocarpus aphids can destroy new plant growth and cause extensive leaf damage. Scale insects suck the pine yew’s sap and can seriously damage the hedge’s growth. You can eradicate these pests by using insecticidal soap or rubbing alcohol.

Aphids on Podocarpus Japanese yews are tiny insects that can be bluish-purple, yellow, red, or orange. Signs of aphids on fern yews are curling new leaves, honeydew, and black sooty mold. You can spray the hedge shrubs with an insecticidal soap or neem oil solution every seven days to get rid of aphids.

Scale insects on pine yew shrubs look like small plate-like growths on the plant’s stems. In time, scale can affect the plant’s growth. However, it needs a large scale insect infection to cause significant hedgerow damage. The easiest way to get rid of scale-infected branches is to prune them and then destroy them.

Diseases Affecting Podocarpus Plant Growth

Podocarpus macrophyllus plants are hardy, sun-loving bushes that are relatively resistant to disease. The most common problems that these shrubby conifers face are connected to waterlogged, soggy soil. Wet soil can create fungal problems in the roots that can affect the plant’s growth.

If you care well for your Podocarpus shrubs, the hedges will grow with minimal care for many years.

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