yew

Taxus media 'Densiformis'

The yew, or Taxus media 'Densiformis', is an evergreen conifer species with an interesting dense form. The foliage is dense and lustrous, with glossy, deep green needles. It grows one to three feet a year, forming a slow growing shrub or low hedge. Its wide spreading branches give the yew an attractive umbrella shape. It adaptable to various soil types, and can easily tolerate a wide range of temperatures. The yew is an excellent choice for a hedge, border, or screen, especially in colder climates. They are also tolerant of pollution and drought, making them a great option for urban settings.

Cycle:

Perennial

Watering:

Average

Propagation:

Cutting,Layering Propagation,Grafting Propagation,Seed Propagation,Tissue Culture

Hardiness Zone:

4 - 7

Flowers:

Non-flowering Flowers

Sun:

Full sun,part shade

Cones:

Yes

Leaf:

Yes

Leaf Color:

green

Growth Rate:

Low

Maintenance:

Low

Poisonous To Humans:

Yes

Poisonous To Pets:

Yes

Drought Tolerant:

Yes

Salt Tolerant:

Yes

Thorny:

Yes

watering

The yew (Taxus media 'Densiformis') prefers medium to moist soil. It should be watered thoroughly once per week, allowing the soil to dry out between waterings. If the soil becomes dry faster than that, it should be watered more often. In periods of low rainfall, be sure to water the yew regularly so the soil remains moist. Generally though, these plants are quite tolerant of drought once established. Be careful not to over-water, as too much water can lead to root-rot.

sunlight

The yew (Taxus media 'Densiformis') is a partially shade-tolerant species that does best with at least 4-6 hours of sunlight per day. However, it can tolerate some periods either side of this exposure as long as it is not for prolonged periods of time, for example 8 hours or more. Ideally, the yew should receive sunlight in the early morning and late afternoon/evening. During periods of extreme heat, the yew should be protected from direct sunlight to avoid sunburn damage.

pruning

Yew (Taxus media 'Densiformis') should be pruned in early spring or late winter when the plants are still in their dormant state. This allows the plant to heal quickly and helps to prevent the formation of sap pockets. Pruning of yew should be moderate and judicious. Remove any dead or diseased stems immediately as well as any that are growing inward or crossing over other branches. If more significant pruning is necessary, remove no more than 1-third of the branches at a time to avoid stressing the plant. After pruning, use pruning seal or glue to seal any cuts to prevent decay and disease.

Season

Fall
Winter
Spring
Summer
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Starts Flowering

Yews typically start flowering in April.

Hardiness Map