Cephalotaxus fortunei

RHS Plant Profile
Chinese plum yew

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Other common names

Fortune's plum yew

Conifers Shrubs Trees
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An evergreen, spreading, large shrub or small tree with spreading, slightly drooping branches and reddish-brown bark that may shred with age. Leaves are dark green, glossy, up to 9cm long and arranged spirally on erect shoots. Fruits 2-3cm long are borne on female plants ripening from olive green to brown

Position

Full shade, Partial shade

Soil Types

Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand

Max Height

4-8 metres

Max Spread

4-8 metres

Size

Time to Maturity
20–50 years
Max Spread
4-8 metres
Max Height
4-8 metres

Growing Conditions

Chalk Clay Loam Sand
Moisture
Moist but well–drained
pH
Acid or Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full shade Partial shade
Aspect
East–facing or North–facing or South–facing or West–facing
Exposure
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)
H5

Colour & Scent

Season Stem Flower Foliage Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family
Taxaceae
Native to GB/Ireland
No
Foliage
Evergreen
Habit
Bushy
Genus
Cephalotaxus are evergreen shrubs or small trees, with 2-ranked, linear leaves resembling yew foliage, and somewhat plum-like, fleshy green fruits; male and female flowers are usually on separate plants
Name Status
Correct
Plant Range
China to Myanmar

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grows best in a moist, well drained soil in part shade but will tolerate a wide range of soils and full sun in cool, moist climates. Shelter from cold, dry winds

Propagation

Propagate by seed or softwood or semi-hardwood cuttings of terminal shoots

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • Low Maintenance
  • Hedging and screens

Pruning

No pruning required

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

Generally disease-free