Using Podocarpus (Fern Pine) As A Privacy Screen

by Katie Hanson (1100 Sq Ft)

I like firefighters. You probably like firefighters. Most people like firefighters.
They provide a service, they're courageous, and they save kittens from trees.
Plus they work out a lot.
I like firefighters.
But I don't exactly want to be able to wave hello from my living room, while I'm drinking tea in my undies.

using podocarpus fern pine as a privacy screen, gardening, landscape, outdoor living

So, what am I going to do about it? Well, we already had the retaining wall removed and now we have this lovely dirt strip about 5 feet deep.

I went to my local nursery, International Garden Center, and asked the knowledgeable staff for some assistance. We discussed bamboo (too invasive), bougainvillea (too much maintenance on the fire station side), and we ended up in front of a plant called a podocarpus, or a fern pine.

This guy will start out about 5' tall and will end up 10-20 feet tall. We are going to plant 11 of them along the back wall, which is 53' wide. They have a nice, leafy spread that I'm hoping will end up looking like this.

A thick, leafy, green wall that is low-maintenance and relatively drought-tolerant. And most importantly, allows me to drink my tea with some privacy.

I can't wait to share pictures of what it looks like once the plants are in. Expect that update in about two weeks!

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3 of 40 comments

Wanda sinnema on May 07, 2014
LINDA,,,,The Point was,,,,,,,,,if the city destroyed HER property to build the firehouse, took down HER fence, and destroyed HER back yard,,,,, she should be compensated....tax dollars or not.... like I said DEPENDING on what was there prior...If there was an overgrown hedge, no fence, or junk...I'd say NO..... Projects such as this DO NOT GIVE THEM a FREE hand to destroy personal property,,any more than YOU would ..Some areas here are REQUIRED to submit plans for replantings on personal property for plants they have destroyed or allow compensation for them to do it themselves....

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- Katie Hanson (1100 Sq Ft) on May 07, 2014
  @Wanda sinnema I think there's a misunderstanding - the city didn't destroy anything. The fire station and the wall have been there for as long as the house - for almost 60 years. I do appreciate the concern. though :)
  
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Paradise Nursery on Oct 01, 2017

Podocarpus gracilior are one of my favorite hedges. Great looking leaves and easy to grow. Although they can grow very tall, they are pretty easy to keep relatively short. The photo of them near the pool is actually a great example of the size they are often kept.

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