Amentotaxus argotaenia
catkin yew
A slow-growing evergreen conifer, up to around 8m high, with ascending branches and reddish young bark fading to grey-brown. Leaves are linear, to around 10cm long, dark green and leathery, with bands of silvery white along the undersides. Pollen cones are around 6cm long, and formed in groups of 1-3 at tips of the branches, seed cones are shorter and rounder, to around 2.5cm long. Seeds are small and covered with a long red aril (a fleshy outgrowth or appendage)
Size
Ultimate height
4–8 metresTime to ultimate height
20–50 yearsUltimate spread
4–8 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Moist but well–drainedpH
Acid, Alkaline, NeutralColour & scent
| Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
| Spring | Green | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | Green | |||
| Autumn | Green | Red | ||
| Winter | Green |
Position
- Partial shade
Aspect
East–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Exposed or Sheltered Hardiness
H3Botanical details
- Family
- Taxaceae
- Native to GB / Ireland
- No
- Foliage
- Evergreen
- Habit
- Columnar upright, Spreading branched
- Name status
Correct
- Plant range
- Far East
How to grow
Cultivation
Thrives in rocky, moist but well-drained soils, in part or full shade. In regions where temperatures don't fall below -5°C, this species is well suited to understory planting in moist woodland or along damp stream banks
Propagation
Propagate by semi-ripe cuttings or by sowing seed as soon as it is ripe, outdoors. For more advice see our information on how to propagate from seed (tree/shrub)
Suggested planting locations and garden types
- Architectural
- Low Maintenance
Pruning
Minimal pruning required, see pruning group 1
Pests
Generally pest-free, though seeds may be eaten by rodents
Diseases
May be susceptible to Phytophthora root rot
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