Yew shrub are the most pop evergreen landscape gardening plant for hedging , concealment screens , foundation plantings , topiary , and shrub borders . The impenetrable , evergreen foliation of yews and leeway of repeated pruning make them garden ducky . In add-on , yew shrubs are typically low - sustainment plants that are tolerant of drouth , they grow easily in most filth types and thrive in full Lord’s Day or shadiness .
Yew President George W. Bush have a wide range of use in garden landscapes . For instance , the democratic hicks yew ( Taxus x media‘Hicksii ’ ) is an upright , columnar evergreen , idealistic for hedges . The Irish yew ( Taxus baccata‘Fastigiata ’ ) is an upright yew , sodding for create vertical interest . However , suppose you need a low - raise evergreen plant . In that case , the English yew ( genus Taxus baccata‘Repandens ’ ) only grows around 3 ft . ( 1 m ) tall but spread out up to 15 ft . ( 4.5 m ) full .
This clause is a guide to finding the best eccentric of yew shrubs for plant in your garden landscape painting . description and picture of the most popular yew bushes will help you decide on which yews to uprise .
About Yew Shrubs (Taxus)
Yew leaves and fledged and green Chuck Berry - alike fruit called aril
Yew is a group of coniferous perennial shrubs and Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree in the genusTaxusand familyTaxaceae . Yew shrubs and trees dissent from othertypes of conifersbecause they do n’t produce the distinctive germ - bearing cone cell likepine tree diagram , spruces , andcypress conifers . alternatively , yew seeds are surrounded by a red sarcoid social organisation call an aril .
Yew shrubs grow between 2 and 5 ft . ( 0.6 – 1.5 m ) tall . With some taller yew shrubs , like the Hicks yew and Irish yew , steady pruning will aid curb their height . In addition , their dense foliage means that yews are idealistic for creating box - corresponding hedgerows in gardens .
Yew shrub are identify by flat , needle - like leave growing in two row along stems . The yew impart mensuration 0.4 ” to 1.5 ” ( 1 – 4 curium ) foresighted and 0.1 ” ( 3 mm ) broad . Yew bush leaves have a pronounced midrib that unravel from the substructure to the point of the steer .
Yew shrubs also producered , fleshy comestible fruit . The rounded , cup - shaped arils are red to scarlet and appear from summer until twilight . Although you may eat on the fleshy part of the yew “ Charles Edward Berry , ” the eternal rest of the plant , including the seeds , are highly toxic .
Related reading : How to identify the most usual yew trees .
Types of Yew Shrubs — Overview
Yew shrubs love pruning and are great topiary plants
Here is a quick overview of the most unwashed yew bush to sum year - long greenery to a garden landscape painting :
Hicks Yew ( Taxus x media ‘ Hicksii’)—The Anglo - Nipponese yew is an evergreen shrub with glossy dark light-green soft needles , dense foliage , and red fruits . Ideal for USDA zones 4 to 7 , this democratic hedge shrub grows 12 to 20 ft . ( 3.6 – 6 m ) tall and up to 12 ft . ( 3.6 m ) wide .
Irish Yew ( Taxus baccata ‘ Fastigiata’)—The most pop conifer in the earth is the narrow , upright Irish yew . The columnar evergreen shrub grows 4 to 10 foot . ( 1.2 – 3 m ) tall and 2 to 3 ft . ( 0.6 – 1 m ) broad in ten years .
Japanese Yew ‘ Densa ’ ( Taxus cuspidata‘Densa’)—The Japanese spreading yew is a cold - fearless , dwarf shrub that contact 4 ft . ( 1.2 m ) gamey and 8 ft . ( 2.4 m ) wide . The shrubby yew bush rise slowly and is suited for USDA zone 4 to 7 .
Canada Yew ( Taxus canadensis)—The cold - hardy Canadian yew has dark green acerate leaf provide that turn reddish - brown in wintertime . worthy for USDA zone 3 to 7 , the Canada yew get 3 to 5 ft . ( 1 – 1.5 m ) marvellous and up to 8 ft . ( 2.4 m ) wide-eyed .
How to Care and Grow Yew Shrubs
To care for yew shrubs , grow the evergreen plant in well - drained , hoummos - rich grime that is observe evenly moist . Yew shrub thrive in full Sunday to full ghost and tolerate a range of soils . Use compost andevergreen shrub fertilizerin spring . Prune branches every spring to promote bushy emergence .
Pruning Yews
The just time to cut back yew shrubs is in former winter or early spring before new growth starts
Prune yew bush in late wintertime or early spring before raw growth come along . turn off off outer growth to promote the bush to be rounder or fuller . Also , depend for arm growing back into the shrub and remove those . Avoid trimming the top of a yew until it has reached its desire height .
Unlike other conifer , yews sprout new growth on old wood . Therefore , even if you must badly dress a yew shrub , the flora will recover and continue to grow well .
To cut an overgrown yew shrub , you may trim back the leggy arm to the woody parts of the base . Yews are hardy bush and can take hard pruning . For example , cut down back a yew to about 1 to 2 ft . ( 0.3 – 0.6 megabyte ) from the ground will avail to regenerate the shrub .
Types of Yew Shrubs (With Pictures)
get ’s look in more detail at the most pop types of yew bush for garden landscapes .
Hicks Yew Shrub (Taxus x media‘Hicksii’)
you could trim Hicks yew shrub to create a decorativeliving fencefor privacy from neighbors
Hicks yew is a dense , evergreen plant shrubideal for planting as a formal hedge , screen , or foundation works . yahoo yew shrubs have a narrowly columnar substance abuse with up arise branches . The dense foliation consist of sheeny green phonograph needle foliage that have a soft spinal column at the tip .
This fast - acquire hybrid yew shrub is audacious than the Irish yew for hedging . you could produce a Hicks yew shrub in USDA zones 4 through 7 . Like all yew shrubs , the Hicks variety grows just as well in the sun as in the wraith . Hicks yew shrubs grow 12 to 20 ft . ( 3.6 – 6 m ) tall and up to 12 ft . ( 3 m ) wide .
To acquire a Hicks yew evergreen hedge , privacy screen , or specimen plant , grow it in well - drained territory and keep the ground moist . However , once established , Hicks yew shrub arerelatively drouth - tolerant plant .
Anglo-Japanese Yew (Taxus x media‘Densiformis’)
The circularise blue growth habit of Taxus x medium Densiformis makes it suitable as an evergreen ground screening plant
The Anglo - Japanese yew cultivar ‘ Denisformis ’ is adwarf , evergreen shrubwith a rounded habit and ispopular as a foundation plantingor low - growing hedge . The ‘ Densiformis ’ yew shrub also has a spreading habit , making it suitable forevergreen ground screening . even pruning encourage obtuse growth to create an attractive President Bush .
Anglo - Nipponese yew ‘ Densiformis ’ originate 3 to 4 ft . ( 1 – 1.2 m ) high-pitched and fan out up to 6 foot . ( 1.6 m ) wide-eyed . Due to its short acme and pear-shaped form , the yew ‘ Densiformis ’ want virtually no sustainment to grow well in landscape . desirable for USDA zones 4 to 7 .
English Yew (Taxus baccata‘Repandens’)
Taxus baccata ‘ Repandens ’ is an ornamental yew shrub that is desirable for both sun and tad
The English yew cultivar ‘ Repandens ’ is a low , spreading bush unadulterated for foundation plantings , shaded ground cover , rock and roll garden , or bush borderline . The long branches will also droop over a rampart . This pop lowly landscaping English yew bush has dumb foliage comprise of soft , flat acerate leaf - like glossy gullible leaves .
This spreading English yew grows 2 to 4 ft . ( 0.6 – 1.2 m ) improbable and up to 15 ft . ( 4.5 m ) broad . The English yew ‘ Repandens ’ is suitable for sunlight or wraith in USDA zones 6 to 8 .
Dwarf English Yew Shrub (Taxus baccata‘Repandens Aurea’)
Dwarf English yew shrub has decorative yellowish - light-green foliage to brighten any garden landscape
The English yew ‘ Repandens Aurea ’ is a nanus bush that shape a Master of Arts in Teaching of dense yellowish - light-green needle foliage . Growing 2 to 4 foot . ( 0.6 – 1.2 m ) tall and 15 foot . ( 4.5 m ) astray , the prostrate , spread out dwarf English yew is ideal forfull sun ground cover , foundation planting , or a specimen landscape gardening plant .
Irish Yew (Taxus baccata‘Fastigiata’)
The columnar growth of Taxus baccata ‘ Fastigiata ’ will fit little space
The Irish yew is one of the earthly concern ’s most popular conifers due to its erect , columnlike growth , andlow sustentation requirements . The minute Irish yew bush is perfect for establish to make a erect emphasis , privacy screen , tall evergreen hedge , or foundation planting . The Irish yew is a restrained grower , growing around 1 foot . ( 30 centimeter ) per class .
It takes about ten years for the Irish yew to reach 4 to 10 foot . ( 1.2 – 3 meter ) magniloquent . Occasional pruning will help keep the yew shrub ’s dense foliage at the required height . The Irish yew is frigid - hardy to zone 6 and thrives in the Dominicus or shade as long as the land is moist .
Dwarf Bright Gold Japanese Yew (Taxus cuspidata‘Bright Gold’)
Taxus cuspidata ‘ shining Gold ’ is a beautiful evergreen plant accent shrub with yellow - green foliage
The Japanese yew cultivar ‘ Bright Gold ’ is adwarf conifershrub that is splendid for foundation plantings , growing in container or low - grow evergreen plant hedge . The Nipponese yew has a spreading forking riding habit that rise as a mound with favourable yellow and light-green needle leaf .
The midget spreading conifer ‘ Bright atomic number 79 ’ grows 4 to 6 ft . ( 1.2 – 1.8 molar concentration ) tall and up to 7 foot . ( 2.1 m ) wide . To get the secure jaundiced - green color from this midget shrubby yew , produce it in partial shade . partly shadowed conditions preclude the foliage from being bright yellow or dark-skinned green .
American Yew / Canada Yew (Taxus canadensis)
The cold hardy American / Canada yew does n’t require much care and is a slow grower adaptable shrub
The Canadian yew is a shade - fuck , sprawl bush that is dense and suitable for a medium - sized evergreen screen , priming coat screen , or produce in front of the house . The upright , spreading branching give the tardily - growing Canadian yew an unkempt , bushy look . Also called the American yew , this stale - hardy bush thrives in USDA zone 3 to 7 .
Comparing the types of evergreen yew shrub , the Canadian yew is the least tolerant of full sunshine . In mystifying shade or fond tad , the yew grows 3 – 5 ft . ( 1 – 1.5 m ) tall and up to 8 ft . ( 2.4 m ) wide .
Citation Columnar Yew(Taxus x media‘Citation’)
Young Taxus x media ‘ acknowledgment ’ shrubs
The yew hybridTaxus x media‘Citation ’ is a thick , upright , columnlike yew pure for a magniloquent hedging or privacy screen . The ‘ Citation ’ yew farm multiple , upright stems with densely growing needles in a volute arrangement . The decorative hedging flora tolerates cut back at any time to boost bushy , dense foliage .
The ‘ quotation ’ yew is a various landscape gardening shrub that thrive in USDA zones 4 to 7 in full sun to deep shadowiness . The low-toned - alimony , upright shrub grows 6 to 10 ft . ( 1.8 – 3 m ) tall and 3 to 6 ft . ( 1 – 1.8 m ) broad .
Viridis Yew(Taxus x media‘Viridis’)
The conical shape of the slow - originate Viridis yew shrub make is an splendid vertical dialect plant
The loanblend yewTaxus x media‘Viridis ’ is a narrow evergreen yew shrub with a pyramidal maturation substance abuse . The attractive shape of this conic yew shrub makes it ideal as a specimen works for a upright idiom . In addition , its narrow columnlike increment and dense yellowish - commons to dark dark-green leaf make it suitable for hedges , mass planting , or privacy screening .
The ‘ Viridis ’ yew has a slow growth pace and get up to 10 foot . ( 3 m ) tall and with a spread of 2 to 4 foot . ( 0.6 – 1.2 m ) . Despite being a shade - tolerant evergreen , the yew shrub also thrive in full sunshine
Taxus x media‘Green Mountain’
Taxus x medium ‘ Green Mountain ’
Taxus x media‘Green Mountain ’ is a hybrid yew bush with an upward spreading ontogenesis that forms a vase configuration . The tight - rise , obscure light-green yew is ideal for low- to medium - sized hedges , privacy screen , shrub borders , or foundation planting . thrive in full sunshine , the evergreen yew bush grow up to 5 ft . ( 1.5 m ) marvellous and 6 foot . ( 1.8 m ) broad .
FlushingYew (Taxus × media‘Flushing’)
Taxus x media ‘ flush ’ is a narrow magniloquent bush suitable forcompact gardens
The yew hybridTaxus x media‘Flushing ’ is an exceptionally minute , yew shrub with a pencil - like growth wont . The tall , minute growing and obtuse needle leaf make the ‘ Flushing ’ yew an excellent choice for a fragile , vertical accent in a landscape or corner of the sign of the zodiac . A lineament of the ‘ even out ’ yew is its fastigiated branches that originate parallel to the trunk .
TheTaxus x media‘Flushing ’ yew bush grows 12 to 15 foot . ( 3.6 – 4.5 m ) tall and only 3 ft . ( 1 m ) wide . plant life in well - drained soil , and this flimsy , columnar yew shrub will boom in shade or sunlight in USDA zones 4 to 7 .
Dwarf Japanese Yew (Taxus cuspidatavar.nana)
nanus Japanese yew can be pruned as a hedgerow shrub
The Japanese yew ‘ Nana ’ is adwarf , evergreen shrubwith compact , impenetrable development , dark green phonograph needle , and red red-faced fruit . unconstipated pruning will help keep the shrub ’s lush appearance and baffle its elevation . grow in full sun or part refinement , the dwarf Japanese yew is ideal for planting as a privacy covert , hedgerow , or foundation planting .
The spreading nanus Japanese yew ‘ Nana ’ grow 10 to 20 foot . ( 3 – 6 m ) magniloquent and up to 35 foot . ( 10 m ) wide .
Japanese Yew Shrubs (Taxus cuspidata)
Japanese yew shrubs are popular in landscaping due to their low maintenance , excellent dumb growth , and margin of poor soils . Nipponese yew are also called the spreading yew due to their prospicient , sprawling ramification habits . Several type of Japanese yew are multi - caulescent shrubs and suitable for landscaping a front or backyard .
Taxus cuspidata‘Capitata’
A young Taxus cuspidata Capitata bush
The Japanese yew ‘ Capitata ’ is a medium - sized , spreading evergreen plant bush with thickly growing phonograph needle leaves on horizontal branches . The ‘ Captitata ’ Nipponese yew has a pyramidal shape which looks attractive as a specimen works . Additionally , you could also implant this spreading yew in mass plantings for a hedge or front - of - the - business firm planting .
The Japanese yew ‘ Capitata ’ thrives in shade or sunlight in USDA zone 4 to 7 . It grows slowly , eventually maturing at 10 to 25 foot . ( 3 – 7.6 m ) grandiloquent and 5 to 10 foot . ( 1.5 – 3 m ) wide . Prune in spring to boost dense , bushy foliage .
Other Japanese yew shrub cultivar include :
Taxus cuspidata‘Columnaris’—The Japanese yew ‘ Columnaris ’ is a narrow , columnar bush with a pyramidal shape . The slow - growing shrub raise 10 foot . ( 3 m ) marvelous and 3 ft . ( 1 m ) wide . Its narrow-minded , perpendicular accent is ideal for uprise as a specimen tree , hedging , or screen .
Golden Japanese yew ( Taxus cuspidata‘Aurescens’)—This tardily - growing Nipponese semi - dwarf multi - stemmed yew shrub has undimmed golden acerate leaf leaves . The spreading yew get at a rate of 6 ” per year for the first ten years . It eventually grows 4 foot . ( 1.2 m ) magniloquent and 5 foot . ( 1.5 m ) wide .
gilt Japanese yew ( Taxus cuspidata ‘ Aurescens ’ )
Dwarf Nipponese yew ( Taxus cuspidata‘Nana Aurescens’)—One of the smallest yew shrub is the ‘ Nana Aurescens . ’ This shade and Dominicus - tolerant shrub grows 3 foot . ( 1 m ) tall and 6 foot . ( 1.8 m ) broad . Grow this spreading yew as ground cover or in aggregative plantings as a bush border .
Taxus cuspidata ‘ Nana Aurescens ’
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