Taxus Yew Shrubs Guide

Taxus is a small genus of shrubs& coniferous treesin the flowering family, Taxaceae. It is a medium sized evergreen shrub native to the area of Manchuria, Japan and Korea. They are relatively slow growing, long lived and medium sized. Yew is a common name given to different types of versatile trees. These trees are available in different sizes of, fromsmall groundcovers to medium size shrubs.

Yews are dark evergreen that adds a certain beauty and grace to almost any landscape. That’s why yew is the best shrub for mass planting, borders, specimen gardening, entranceways and paths. It is very simple for planting and once settled caring for yews in uninvolved. Yews are easily grown in medium moisture and well drained soils in full sun to part shade.

Taxus Yew Shrubs – A Complete Guide To Yew Bushes

There are various types of shrubs are available to the gardener and that can be grown in the landscape form flowering shrub to evergreen shrub. There are numerous types of yews in different cultures from around the world, each with its own name, style & unique identity. The Taxus Baccatais native to much of Central & Southern Europe, whereas in Japan, it’s the Yew Taxus Cupidata that’s found in abundance. Continue reading this article for more information on these lovely trees and different types.

1. Brown’s Yew (Taxus x media ‘Brownii’)

Brown’s Yew is a beautiful, dense, versatile evergreen garden shrub with more or less rounded form. It has darker shade of green foliage which beautifully transforms into light green in spring. This dense mound of soft foliage acts a backdrop other elements.

Brown’s yew is recommended for general garden use, mass planting, topiary and hedges landscape applications. It will grow up to 8 feet tall with a spread of 12 feet. The Brown’s Yew often grows at a lackadaisicalpace but has a lifespan of 65 to 70 years. This shrub performs well in any sunlight like full sun, partial shade and full shade. Apart from its slow pace of growth, there are no significant negative characteristics to write about.

• Height: 8 Feet
• Spread: 12 Feet
• Sunlight: Partial to full sun
• Hardiness Zone: 4A
• Blooms: Conifer; prized for foliage
• Key Feature: Easy care plant

2. Everlow Yew (Taxus x media ‘Everlow’)

Everlow Yew is a very popular evergreen with a low spreading form that resists winter burning. This shrub best in moisture, well drained and acid to the slightly alkaline soil.

Everlow yew is recommended for the mixed border, foundation, topiary, screening and hedges landscape applications. It will grow up to 3-4 feet tall with a spread of 5-7 feet. Everlow yew grows at a slow rate and performs well in any sunlight like full sun, partial shade and full shade.

• Height: 3-4 Feet
• Spread: 5-7 Feet
• Sunlight: Partial to full sun
• Hardiness Zone: 4 To 7
• Blooms: No
• Key Feature: Evergreen & Attractive in winter

3. Densiformis Yew (Taxus x media ‘Densiformis’)

Densiformis yew is an ideal landscape shrub with spreading habit, dense, bright green emerging foliage is held against evergreen in spring. This evergreen durable provide year-round interest in tolerates shearing well.

Densiformis yew is recommended for the mixed border, mass planting, coastal exposure, wildlife garden and hedges landscape applications. It will grow up to 3 feet tall with a spread of 5 feet. Densiformis yew grows at a slow rate and performs well in any sunlight like full sun, partial shade and full shade.

• Height: 3 Feet
• Spread: 5 Feet
• Sunlight: Partial to full sun
• Hardiness Zone: 4A
• Blooms: Conifer; prized for foliage and berry-like cones
• Key Feature: Evergreen & Year-round interest

4. Hicks Yew (Taxus x media ‘Hicksii’)

Hicks yew is an excellent evergreen shrub for displaying glossy dark green foliage and tall hedges. It has a dark green foliage which emerges light green in spring. This is low maintenance shrub and pruned at any time.

Hicks yew is recommended for general garden use, mass planting, vertical accent, topiary and hedges landscape applications. It will grow up to 18 feet tall with a spread of 10 feet. Hicks yew grows at a slow rate and performs well in any sunlight like full sun, partial shade and full shade.

• Height: 18 Feet
• Spread: 10 Feet
• Sunlight: Partial to full sun
• Hardiness Zone: 4A
• Blooms: Conifer; prized for foliage and berry-like cones
• Key Feature: Evergreen & Narrow hedge plant

5. Fairview Yew (Taxus x media ‘Fairview’)

Fairview is a distinctive shrub with striking dark dense foliage emerges light green in spring. It dense multiple stemmed shrub with more or less rounded form. It also protects from the north winter winds and perfect for small areas.

Fairview yew is recommended for mass planting, topiary and hedges landscape applications. It will grow up to 5 feet tall with a spread of 10 feet. Fairview yew grows at a slow rate and performs well in any sunlight like full sun, partial shade and full shade.

• Height: 5 Feet
• Spread: 10 Feet
• Sunlight: Partial to full sun
• Hardiness Zone: 4A
• Blooms: Inconspicuous
• Key Feature: Larger globe shaped yew

6. Sunburst Yew (Taxus x media ‘Sunburst’)

Sunburst yew is a fascinating new variety of yew with golden foliage in spring that fades to a more delicate yellowish-greenas spring progresses. It has very attractive gold foliage emerges in the spring. Needles are dark green on the upper surface and yellow-green on the underside.

Sunburst yew is recommended for general garden use, mass planting, topiary and hedges landscape applications. It will grow up to 7 feet tall with a spread of 10 feet. Sunburst yew grows at a slow rate and performs well in any sunlight.

• Height: 7 Feet
• Spread: 10 Feet
• Sunlight: Partial to full sun
• Hardiness Zone: 4A
• Blooms: Not ornamental

Tips To Grow Yew Bushes

Yews are very easy to grow and low maintenance shrub. It suitable for shady places and sunny spots. If the location is too dark then the growth rate decrease. You can grow yew from cuttings and seed. But mostly people buy them at a nursery or garden store for the better result.

The soil conditions mostly create a special base for healthy thriving. Yew doesn’t require any special soil requirements but it grows best in sandy and well-draining soil. The best time to planting is a day without sun. The pot plants and young plants require lots of water so make sure soil should never dry out.