[Pondboy]

Originally Posted by BPRICE1234

Moist but not wet, set irrigation to t-tr-sunday for 20 minutes.

Ok, keep any eye on the soil moisture. I’m not sure how much water your irrigation puts down in 20 minutes. It’s could be a lot….

[Bonanza]

There are multiple reasons why you are having trouble with your podocarpus. Only you can tell if the shrub is getting too much or too little water. My guess is that it's getting too little water but I'm not there. Take a hand trowel, dig down a little, move away some dirt close to the plant, and feel the dirt. If it's too dry, you know the problem. When you water you must make sure you water thoroughly so the the water penetrates down to the root ball. Also, when the shrub was planted, did you add some peat, Black Cow, or other organic matter? If, you didn't, you should have! When you planted the shrubs did you "hose them in" to make sure there were no air pockets? If not, that is what you also should have done. Without doing that because of an air pocket, the root gets no moisture, dries out and the plant will die.

There is also a possibility that your plant could have a fungus. Fungus can be treated with Neem Oil effectively or another fungicide. If you notice aphids or other insect, you may need to use an insecticide or spray with soapy water.

Podocarpus is a very hardy, slow-growing shrub and is tough to kill. If they are dying it is generally the fault of the owner who is doing or has done something wrong or is simply not taking a good look to see what the issue might be.

[BPRICE1234]

Originally Posted by ron32162

You paid 20+ thousand dollars extra for the water view. Why are you planting a 10 dollar hedge plant to block it ?

Keep the pooch from jumping the fence and becoming dinner.

[Two Bills]

Another reason many plants wither and die, is they are 'pot bound' when planting.
When plants have spent too long in a pot, the roots ball up and actually stop water penetrating and being taken up by the roots.
Soak the plant well prior to planting, then tease roots out to enable them to be spread out more.
We have a rule in our garden with plants that are not hardy, or need too much maintenance.
The go!

[Uptown Girl]

Originally Posted by BPRICE1234

Keep the pooch from jumping the fence and becoming dinner.

I wonder if there is a concrete footing under the fence? That would limit the root system. If so, you may have to plant a little farther away from the fence.

However, it may be a good idea to plant something that at maturity will only get as tall as the fence. Podocarpus grow 10 ft.+ Why set yourself up for continual struggle?
These grow faster than you think they will.
A shrub that is 10 ft. at maturity will not thrive when continually carved down to 3 ft. anyway.

If you desire inspiration, google Southern Living Plant Collection and find the shrubs section.
There are numerous shrubs that would work for your needs.
Southern Living does mail them to you (as babies) if you can't find /order them locally.
Big box stores carry some SL varieties and you can order though them. I have.

Good Luck. Stop wrestling.

[Calisport]

I don't like them anymore. Had them out west in clay soil and they grew wild and tall (2 story height) in 5 years, and were a pain to trim. I would put something else there if you want to have your water view. It is a view blocking hedge.