- Botanical name: Taxus baccata
- Common name: Yew
- Family: Taxaceae
- Plant Type: Tree, Evergreen
Green
- Key features:
- Attractive to wildlife
- Fruits
- Low maintenance plant
Yew, Taxus baccata, is a native British evergreen tree. Young plants are bushy and make a fine hedge or topiary specimen, but, if left unclipped they eventually grow into a large conifer tree. Yew withstands quite hard clipping and, if overgrown, can be rejuvenated by cutting back to the stumps. The Royal Horticultural Society has given it its prestigious Award of Garden Merit (AGM).
How to grow yew
Grow yew in moist but well-drained soil in sun or shade. To propagate, take cuttings in late summer and early autumn. Trim hedges annually to maintain a good shape. Yew trees require little pruning.
More on growing yew:
How to grow Taxus baccata
-
Plant size
10m height
6m spread
-
Aspect
North facing, south facing, east facing, west facing
-
Position in border
Back
- Sun exposure: Dappled shade, full shade, full sun
- Hardiness: Hardy
- Soil type: Chalky / alkaline / clay / heavy / moist / well drained / light / sandy
Plant calendar
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Plant | ||||||||||||
| Plant |
J
Do not Plant in January |
F
Do not Plant in February |
M
Do not Plant in March |
A
Do not Plant in April |
M
Do not Plant in May |
J
Do not Plant in June |
J
Do not Plant in July |
A
Do not Plant in August |
S
Do Plant in September |
O
Do Plant in October |
N
Do Plant in November |
D
Do not Plant in December |
| Fruits | ||||||||||||
| Fruits |
J
Plant does not fruit in January |
F
Plant does not fruit in February |
M
Plant does not fruit in March |
A
Plant does not fruit in April |
M
Plant does not fruit in May |
J
Plant does not fruit in June |
J
Plant does not fruit in July |
A
Plant does not fruit in August |
S
Plant does fruit in September |
O
Plant does fruit in October |
N
Plant does fruit in November |
D
Plant does fruit in December |
| Take cuttings | ||||||||||||
| Take cuttings |
J
Do not Take cuttings in January |
F
Do not Take cuttings in February |
M
Do not Take cuttings in March |
A
Do not Take cuttings in April |
M
Do not Take cuttings in May |
J
Do not Take cuttings in June |
J
Do not Take cuttings in July |
A
Do Take cuttings in August |
S
Do Take cuttings in September |
O
Do not Take cuttings in October |
N
Do not Take cuttings in November |
D
Do not Take cuttings in December |
| Prune | ||||||||||||
| Prune |
J
Do not Prune in January |
F
Do not Prune in February |
M
Do not Prune in March |
A
Do not Prune in April |
M
Do not Prune in May |
J
Do not Prune in June |
J
Do not Prune in July |
A
Do Prune in August |
S
Do Prune in September |
O
Do not Prune in October |
N
Do not Prune in November |
D
Do not Prune in December |
Taxus baccata and wildlife
Taxus baccata is known for attracting birds. It provides shelter and habitat, has seeds for birds and makes a good wildlife hedge.
Does not attract Bees
Does not attract Beneficial insects
Attractive to Birds
Does not attract Butterflies/Moths
Does not attract Other pollinators
Is Taxus baccata poisonous?
Taxus baccata irritates skin. Its foliage and fruit are toxic.
Toxic to Cats
Toxic to Dogs
Toxic to Horses
Toxic to People
No reported toxicity to Birds
No reported toxicity to Livestock
