Taxus baccata Fastigiata Robusta – Irish Yew 130-150cm, 30 ltr Pot for sale.

Striking upright Irish yew with dense, dark green foliage – the ultimate architectural evergreen for formal gardens and contemporary landscapes.

Why Choose This Irish Yew?

This magnificent Taxus baccata 'Fastigiata Robusta' delivers commanding vertical presence with its distinctive columnar form. At 130-150cm and established in an 30-litre pot, this premium specimen is ready to create instant architectural impact as a focal point, formal accent, or elegant screening plant.

Unlike common yew, the Irish yew grows naturally upright with tightly packed, dark green needles arranged radially around the stems, creating a dense, formal silhouette without extensive pruning. This robust cultivar is particularly vigorous and maintains its narrow, columnar shape beautifully, making it ideal for framing entrances, creating vertical accents, or planting in rows for dramatic effect.

Key Features

• Height: 130-150cm established columnar specimen
• Pot size: 30-litres – mature, ready to plant
• Form: Naturally upright, narrow columnar habit
• Evergreen: Year-round dense, dark green foliage
• Hardy: Fully frost-resistant across the UK
• Low maintenance: Minimal pruning required to maintain shape
• Architectural: Creates instant vertical drama and formality
• Versatile: Ideal for containers, borders, or formal schemes

Growing & Care Guide

Position & Soil

Irish yew thrives in most well-drained soils and tolerates both full sun and partial shade, though it performs best with some sun to maintain dense growth. Remarkably adaptable, it succeeds in chalky, clay, or sandy soils. For container planting, use a quality loam-based compost with added grit for drainage. This specimen works beautifully in large pots or planted directly into borders.

Watering & Feeding

Water regularly during the first growing season to establish a strong root system. Container-grown specimens require consistent watering, especially during summer months. Feed in spring with a balanced slow-release fertilizer to encourage healthy, dense growth and maintain the rich dark green colour.

Pruning & Maintenance

The beauty of 'Fastigiata Robusta' is its naturally columnar form, requiring minimal pruning. Trim lightly in late summer if needed to tidy any wayward growth, but the plant maintains its shape naturally. Remove any dead or damaged foliage in spring. Yew responds exceptionally well to clipping if you wish to create a more formal, tailored appearance.

Design Ideas

Use as dramatic sentinels either side of doorways, gates, or driveways for commanding symmetry. Plant in rows to create a striking vertical hedge or screen with a contemporary feel. The narrow form makes it perfect for tight spaces, courtyard gardens, or flanking pathways where width is limited.

The dark, dense foliage provides stunning contrast against pale stone, rendered walls, or lighter planting. Combine with clipped box, lavender, or ornamental grasses for layered formality. Ideal for creating rhythm in formal gardens or adding vertical punctuation to mixed borders.

Botanical Details

Botanical name: Taxus baccata 'Fastigiata Robusta'
Common names: Irish yew, upright yew, fastigiate yew
Family: Taxaceae
Foliage: Evergreen, narrow dark green needles arranged radially
Growth rate: Slow to medium (15-30cm per year)
Ultimate height: 4-6m (controlled by pruning)
Ultimate spread: 1-1.5m naturally narrow
Aspect: Full sun to partial shade
Hardiness: Fully hardy (H5)

Please note: All parts of yew are toxic if ingested. Not suitable for gardens accessible to livestock or where children may be tempted to eat berries.