Taxus baccata Cone Topiary – 180-200cm, 40L Pot

Striking English yew tower topiary, expertly trained to create dramatic vertical impact in formal gardens and contemporary landscapes. For sale in our nursery near Lancaster.

Why Choose This Yew Cone Topiary?

This impressive Taxus baccata cone topiary delivers instant architectural presence with its commanding 180-200cm height. Expertly clipped into a classic tower form and established in a generous 40-litre pot, this specimen is ready to create dramatic focal points, frame entrances, or add vertical structure to borders and formal schemes.

The dense, dark green evergreen foliage maintains its rich colour throughout the year, providing year-round structure and elegance. Yew's slow, steady growth and exceptional tolerance of clipping make it the gold standard for formal topiary, offering decades of architectural beauty with minimal maintenance.

Key Features

• Height: 180-200cm impressive tower form
• Pot size: 40 litres – mature, well-established specimen
• Evergreen: Year-round dark green foliage
• Hardy: Fully frost-resistant across the UK
• Low maintenance: Trim once or twice annually to maintain shape
• Architectural: Creates instant vertical drama and formality
• Versatile: Ideal for containers, borders, or formal garden schemes

Growing & Care Guide

Position & Soil

Yew topiary thrives in most well-drained soils and tolerates both full sun and partial shade. Remarkably adaptable, it performs well in chalky, clay, or sandy soils. For container planting, use a quality loam-based compost with added grit for drainage. This substantial specimen requires a large, stable container or can be planted directly into borders.

Watering & Feeding

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

Pruning & Maintenance

Trim in late summer (August) to maintain the crisp cone shape, with a light tidy in spring if needed. Use sharp shears or hedge trimmers for clean cuts on larger specimens. Yew responds exceptionally well to clipping and will regenerate even from hard pruning, making it forgiving and long-lived.

Design Ideas

Use as a dramatic sentinel either side of doorways, gates, or driveways for commanding symmetry. Position as a focal point in gravel gardens, formal parterres, or contemporary minimalist schemes. The vertical form creates striking contrast in mixed borders or can be used to punctuate long hedges.

The dark foliage provides stunning contrast against pale stone, rendered walls, or lighter planting. Pair with clipped box, lavender, or ornamental grasses for layered formality. Ideal for creating rhythm and repetition in larger garden schemes.

Botanical Details

Botanical name: Taxus baccata
Common names: English yew, common yew, yew tower, yew cone
Family: Taxaceae
Foliage: Evergreen, narrow dark green needles
Growth rate: Slow to medium (15-30cm per year)
Ultimate height: Controlled by pruning
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. Due to size and weight, this specimen may require two people for handling and planting.