Yew , Taxus baccata .

Common Yew - Taxus Baccata

Create a classic, formal hedge with our native Common Yew. This medium-sized evergreen is one of the finest hedging plants available, featuring dense, very dark green needle-like foliage arranged in two rows on the shoots. Yew is the ultimate choice for formal hedging and topiary, responding beautifully to clipping and maintaining its shape for centuries. As a UK native species, it's perfectly adapted to British conditions.

Key Features

• Classic British Native: The traditional choice for formal hedging and topiary
• Dense Dark Green Foliage: Very dark green needle-like leaves create a solid, elegant hedge
• Excellent for Topiary: Responds superbly to clipping and shaping
• Long-Lived: Can live for hundreds of years, becoming more beautiful with age
• Shade Tolerant: One of the few conifers that thrives in shade
• Wildlife Value: Female plants produce fleshy red fruits (arils) that feed birds
• Very Hardy: Tolerates most conditions including deep shade and chalk soils

Growing Information

Pot Size: 2-3 litre
Ultimate Height: 10-20m (easily maintained at 1-2m for hedging)
Ultimate Spread: 4-8m
Planting Density: 3 plants per metre for hedging
Growth Rate: Slow - 10-30cm per year
Position: Full sun to full shade
Soil: Well-drained, tolerates most soil types including chalk
Hardiness: Fully hardy (H5)

Planting & Care

Plant from autumn to spring in well-drained soil. Yew is remarkably adaptable and thrives in sun or shade, making it perfect for difficult shady areas. Space plants 30-35cm apart (3 per metre) for hedging. Water regularly during the first growing season to establish roots. Feed with a balanced fertiliser in spring. Trim once a year in late summer to maintain shape. Yew responds excellently to clipping and can be maintained at any desired height. The slow growth rate means less frequent trimming is needed compared to faster-growing hedges.

Important Safety Information

Warning: All parts of yew except the red aril are toxic if ingested. Plant away from areas where children and animals might eat the foliage. Despite this, yew has been safely grown in UK gardens and churchyards for centuries with appropriate precautions.

Perfect For

• Formal hedging and boundaries
• Topiary and shaped features
• Shady areas where other conifers fail
• Traditional and contemporary gardens
• Long-term investment planting
• Chalk and alkaline soils
• Creating garden structure and architecture

Why Choose Common Yew?

Common Yew is widely regarded as the finest hedging plant for formal gardens. Its dense, dark green foliage creates an elegant backdrop, while its exceptional response to clipping makes it perfect for topiary. The slow growth rate is actually an advantage, requiring less frequent trimming. This is a long-lived plant that can grace gardens for centuries, making it a true investment in your garden's future.

Available at Stoneybrook Nursery, Lancashire - Quality native plants for UK gardens.