Podocarpus issues
 

Has anyone had issues with newly installed podocarpus that keep dying? I was told too much water, not enough water.

They were installed the first week of September and some have been replaced and others are turing or have died.

HELP!

Water could be the issue, but there could also be a dozen other issues. Let’s start with the water issue; You have mulch there so the soil could be staying moist for a longer period of time than you think.

You’ll need to stick your fingers in the soil to see how moist the soil is. Is the soil really soggy?

They are drought tolerant so let the soil dry out between waterings.

I call them "podacarcass" for this reason

You might try contacting the 'master gardener' at:
Sumter County Master Gardeners - The Villages
and see if they have any suggestions.

Depending on variety, of course, they tend to get thick and dirty. They are among my least favorite hedge bushes. Them, the ones with leaves that are spiky sharp on the end, and the SoCal freeway hedge bush aka Oleanders.

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

Podacarpus
 

I have had the same issue with my podacarpus shrubs until I planted them with a mixture of sand and soil. Evidentally the sand provides good drainage for the shrubs. I cleared away the mulch from around the plants and applied 10/10/10 fertilizer. They are doing well with that care.

Why keep wrestling with them? They aren’t happy there. Plant something different. Problem solved.

This sage advice could apply to some people, as well.

We had the same problem. They would grow for a while, then just die. We were told that the ground several feet under could be clay and was holding the water, too much for the root system. We went with bottle brush bushes with great success.

I had the same problem. Replanted three times. Finally a master gardener suggested my lawn service may be killing them when they treat my lawn. Next time my lawn was treated I paid attention. Completely healthy plants turned brown within about two weeks after treatment. Of course my lawn service denies any responsibility but I'm suspicious.

Trim off all brown branches before the brown spreads. See video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1x-4BbBtqPs

Plant something else.

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

I liked that video. It gave the solution, but I wonder what caused the browning in the 1st place? I would also rake that mulch away from the plants. Just as a test.

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….

It's Hard to Kill a Podocarpus!
 

Keep the pooch from jumping the fence and becoming dinner.

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!

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.

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.