Family: Taxaceae
Common Name: Yew

These slow-growing evergreen conifers occur naturally in northern hemisphere temperate climates. Young trees are conical in shape, developing over a long period a domed crown and huge trunk. The flat, green, needle-like leaves are borne spirally, appearing to be in two rows. Male and female flowers are found on separate trees. Only two species of 7axus are commonly in cultivation, both suitable only for cool temperate areas. However, a number of named cultivars are grown. Yews are grown as hedges and windbreaks, and are also used in topiary. Most parts of these trees are poisonous to humans and animals it ingested.

Species

T. baccata, English yew, is a native of Europe, western Asia and northern Africa, and has long had religious associations. It is a pop­ular topiary subject. English yew grows up to 25 m (80 ft) in the wild, but is generally much smaller, reaching around 10 m (33 ft), in culti­vation, with a huge, short trunk. In today's gar-dens, the yew is mainly known in the torn of a number of cultivars. 'Aurea' is a dense shrub, growing to around 2 m (6 ft), with many short, crowded shoots clothed in spirally arranged leaves. Young leaves are a pale golden yellow, becoming greenish yellow by winter. 'Fastigiate', Irish yew, is columnar in habit, with spirally arranged, deep green leaves. Generally around 2 m (6 ft) high, it does mature to greater heights. 'Fastigiata Aurea' has a similar growth habit, but the foliage is splashed with golden yellow. 'Fastigiata Aureomarginata' is also simi­lar, but the bright golden yellow new foliage matures to green, leaving narrow bands of yellow around the margins.

T. cuspidata, Japanese yew, is quite a large tree in its habitat, but is generally 8-10 m (26-33 ft) high in culti­vation. This species has a much greater cold-tol­erance than T. baccata. Faster growing, yet little different from T. baccata, its small, narrow, dull green leaves are arranged in V-shaped rows. Var. nana is more commonly grown. It is a low, spreading shrub, growing to 1.5 m (5 ft) high, though much wider, with dark green foliage.

Cultivation

Yews will grow in any type of well-drained soil, including acid or alkaline types. They will also grow well in full sun or complete shade, but the golden-leaved cultivars produce their best colour in a sunny spot. Hedges are trimmed in summer and autumn. Propagate from semi-ripe cuttings in late summer or autumn, in a garden frame.

Climate

Zone 6 for T. baccata, zone 5 for T. cuspidata.