English yew

English yew should be watered deeply and slowly in the spring. During the summer months, the plant should only be watered during the hottest days when there is no rainfall. To do this, use a slow trickle of water and soak the soil at least 6 inches deep. During the fall and winter, little to no additional water is necessary, as the plant will go dormant. Only water if the soil is dry to the touch.

English yew (Taxus baccata 'Watnong Gold') thrives in full sun to partial shade, and should receive at least 4 to 6 hours of direct sunlight a day. The plant prefers to receive a steady, consistent amount of light, so morning or late afternoon sunlight is preferred over midday sun. It is still able to tolerate some shade, but for the fullest foliage and most compact shape, full sun is recommended.

English yew should be pruned in late winter or early spring before new growth appears. The best time to prune these plants is shortly after they have finished blooming or when they look shabby from the previous year’s growth. Pruning should be limited to thinning out the interior of the plant to reduce overcrowding and improving the plant’s overall shape. It is important to remove any dead, diseased or damaged branches. English yew can be pruned quite hard if necessary. This should be done selectively and not drastically.