Taxus baccata

RHS Plant Profile
common yew

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common yew RHS
common yew RHS 1999
common yew RHS
common yew RHS
common yew RHS

Other common names

English yew, yew

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Conifers Trees
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A medium-sized bushy evergreen tree with narrow, leathery, very dark green leaves arranged in two rows on the shoots, and insignificant flowers followed on female plants by fleshy red fruits

Position

Full shade, Full sun, Partial shade

Soil Types

Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand

Max Height

Higher than 12 metres

Max Spread

wider than 8 metres

Size

Time to Maturity
20–50 years
Max Spread
wider than 8 metres
Max Height
Higher than 12 metres

Growing Conditions

Chalk Clay Loam Sand
Moisture
Well–drained
pH
Acid or Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full shade Full sun Partial shade
Aspect
South–facing or North–facing or East–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Exposed or Sheltered
Hardiness

Hardiness Ratings

All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

  • H1A: under glass all year (>15C)
  • H1B: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
  • H1C: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
  • H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
  • H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
  • H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
  • H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
  • H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
  • H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20)
H7

Colour & Scent

Season Stem Flower Foliage Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family
Taxaceae
Native to GB/Ireland
Yes
Foliage
Evergreen
Habit
Bushy
Potentially harmful
TOXIC if eaten. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling. TOXIC to pets if eaten - see the HTA guide to potentially harmful plants for further information and useful contact numbers
Genus
Taxus are small evergreen trees or large shrubs of rounded habit, with dense, linear leaves, insignificant flowers and, on female plants, conspicuous fleshy red arils surrounding the solitary seeds
Name Status
Correct
Plant Range
Europe, W Asia, N Africa

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow in any well-drained soil. Will tolerate exposure, dry soils and urban pollution. Good specimen plant for topiary and hedging

Propagation

Propagate by seed or semi-hardwood cuttings

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • Low Maintenance
  • Hedging and screens

Pruning

No regular pruning necessary, but can be trimmed and shaped when required

Pests

May be susceptible to tortrix moth, vine weevil, gall mites and scale insects

Diseases

May be susceptible to phytophthora root diseases and honey fungus (rarely)