Other Names: Maki Japanese Yew, Maki Yew Pine, Southern Yew, Yew Podocarpus, Chinese Podocarpus, Buddhist Pine, Upright Podocarpus

A highly adaptable and ornamental evergreen, 'Maki' is an upright growing Podocarpus that provides a unique and distinctive texture all its own in the landscape. Maki is a slower-growing version of the species with a very dense, columnar form from 4 to 12 feet tall and 3 to 5 feet wide covered in short and narrow dark green leaves. It responds very well to pruning or shearing so is ideal for formal hedges and privacy screens, and is a fine candidate for topiary forms such a tight column, narrow pyramid or poodle tier and pompom. It's perfect for filling those narrow spaces in foundation plantings and accentuating or framing entryways. A very tough, adaptable and handsome plant that thrives in the most adverse conditions; growing well in full sun or full shade and is deer, drought, heat and humidity tolerant. In cold climates Maki Podocarpus can be grown in a sunny solarium or in containers that are overwintered indoors and rolled back outdoors when temperatures warm in spring, and can even be grown as a year round house plant!

When left to grow naturally to its mature size of 10-12 feet in height with a spread of 3 tp 5 feet wide, Maki Podocarpus is ideal for use as a specimen in smaller garden spaces or to frame entryways and corners or fill narrow spots in home foundation plantings. Excellent as a natural or clipped formal hedge in landscape borders. It's slower growing than other Podocarpus so doesn't require frequent pruning. Also very nice as a centerpiece in a container garden. It can be clipped to form a very tight column or narrow pyramid and other various topiary shapes such as poodle tier and pompom. Its high drought tolerance makes it a fine selection for the Xeriscape (low water needs) garden. In cold climates Maki Podocarpus can be grown in a sunny solarium or in containers that are overwintered indoors and rolled back outdoors when temperatures warm in spring, and can even be grown as a year round house plant!

Spacing:  2.5 to 3 feet apart for solid hedges; 6 feet or more for space between plants

Maki Podocarpus is a very tough plant that thrives in the most adverse conditions, tolerating a wide range soils and light exposures, growing well in full sun or full shade. It prefers a moist but well-drained soil when young however is exceptionally drought tolerant when established. As with so many other ornamental plants, constantly soggy or wet soils are problematic. Very alkaline or heavy soils may cause nutrient deficiencies. As with many other acid-loving evergreens, if the foliage turns a lighter shade of green apply soil sulfur and/or chelated iron for deep greening.

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