English yew

The English yew, also known as Taxus baccata 'Amersfoort', is a slow-growing, evergreen conifer. As such, it does not require a great deal of water, and usually does best when given a deep, thorough watering every other week. That said, water more often during hot weather and dry spells, whenever the soil begins to feel dry about an inch below the surface. Be careful not to over water, as yews are prone to root rot. Let the top inch of the soil dry out between waterings to avoid this.

English yew (Taxus baccata 'Amersfoort') requires full sun, or at least 6 to 8 hours of direct sunlight daily, for optimal growth and health. The plant exhibits a moderate tolerance to shade, but it may be unable to produce healthy fruit and foliage when deprived of sunlight. As long as the temperature remains cool, English yew can tolerate full sun exposure and may even benefit from it. However, during especially hot summers, the plant would appreciate some partial shade during the heat of the day.

The English yew (Taxus baccata 'Amersfoort') is an evergreen shrub or small tree, that should be pruned in late winter to early spring (February-March). In order to keep the plant healthy and looking good, you should prune away any dead, broken, or diseased branches. Prune about a third of the oldest branches each year to keep the yew looking its best. Pruning should be done lightly to not damage the yew's unique shape, which is 1 of its best features. You can also use heading cuts to thin out the dense foliage of the yew and open up the canopy to allow more light to reach the lower parts of the plant. This will create a more balanced shape as well. If you have overgrown branches, you should prune them to just above a growth bud, as this will encourage the yew to grow new shoots.