Yews are evergreen, perennial shrubs or trees in the yew family (Taxaceae) with alternately arranged medium textured needles and axillary, red, fleshy cones that nearly surround the seed. They are native to Asia, North America, Central America and North Africa. The genus name is an old Latin name for yews. Although yews will grow in most soils, a slightly acid soil is preferred. Plant them 6 to 12 feet apart in full sun to partial shade. Too much shade will decrease the growth rate, while too much sun can result in the plant drying out. This is especially crucial with young plants. They also need protection from strong winds that over a period of time can push the plant out of the desired shape. Yews can withstand heavy pruning and regular annual pruning will help keep the desired shape and density. A male needs to be planted nearby for the female to produce the showy red arils. Plants can be propagated with stem cuttings. Yews are versatile plants that can be grown in containers, in moist areas and near hardscape. Use them as an accent or specimen or plant them in a mass along a foundation or to create a barrier, border or screen. They also fit well in a cottage, drought-tolerant, rock or winter garden. Quick ID Hints: Shrubs with spirally-arranged, short, green linear leaves with two flat rows of needles. Female plants with red arils. VIDEO Created by Elizabeth Meyer for "Trees, Shrubs and Conifers," a plant identification course developed in partnership with Longwood Gardens. Insects, Diseases and Other Plant Problems: Root rot, brown scale and other fungal diseases can occur when proper drainage is not provided. Insects such as lice, mites and black vine weevil can cause issues.
Curated pairwise relationships between this plant and others in the library — who feeds
whom, who competes, who confuses the pests. Green reads as a good pairing, red as one to avoid.
No curated interactions recorded for this species yet.
Also noted by NC State
Related species the NC State Plant Toolbox flags for this plant — look-alikes to tell
apart, and plants that play a similar role in a planting. Ones we carry in the library are linked.
Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day) | Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
Soil texture
Clay; Loam (Silt); Sand
Soil pH
Acid (<6.0); Neutral (6.0-8.0)
Soil drainage
Good Drainage | Moist
Available space
6-feet-12 feet; 12-24 feet
NC region
Coastal; Mountains; Piedmont
Growth rate
Slow
Maintenance
Medium
Canopy layer
3 - Shrub
Form & Appearance
Habit / form
Dense; Erect; Rounded
Texture
Medium
Foliage
Needled Evergreen
Leaf color
Green
Leaf type
Needles
Leaf arrangement
Alternate
Leaf shape
Linear
Leaf feel
Glossy; Leathery
Leaf size
< 1 inch long, < 1 inch wide
Hairs present
No
Leaf detail
Leaves are alternate & spirally arranged, linear, and subcoriaceous. They are dark green, glossy, abruptly acute & pointed, paler green below with 2 yellowish-green bands.
Flower color
White
Fruit color
Red/Burgundy
Fruit value
Showy
Fruit size
< 1 inch long, < 1 inch wide
Fruit detail
The fleshy seeds are hidden in the foliage until autumn, when they turn a bright red.
Bark color
Light Brown; Red/Burgundy
Bark detail
The reddish-brown, thin bark will become scaly and or fibrous.
Stem detail
The hairless stems appear in an alternate form. New stems are green, and become a reddish-brown as they mature.
Wildlife & Ecology
Native status
Native
Origin
Asia, North America, Central America, North Africa
Play value
Buffer; Easy to Grow; Screening
Food & Medicine
Harvest time
Fall
Landscape Use
Landscape location
Container; Patio; Pool/Hardscape
Landscape theme
Cottage Garden; Drought Tolerant Garden; Garden for the Blind; Rock Garden; Winter Garden
Design feature
Accent; Barrier; Border; Foundation Planting; Mass Planting; Screen/Privacy; Specimen
Garden tags
#tsc #poisonous fruits #poisonous #fantz #tsc-cg #problem for dogs #problem for horses #problem for cats #conifer #evergreen shrub #evergreen tree #drought tolerant #wet soils intolerant #shrub #dioecious #evergreen #hedge #long lived #cpp #hortcontest #shrub border
Problems & Resistance
Insect problems
Black Vine Weevil; Pests of Conifers
Problems
Poisonous to Humans; Problem for Cats; Problem for Dogs; Problem for Horses
Resistant to
Drought
Propagation
Stem Cutting
Poison severity
High
Poison parts
Bark; Fruits; Leaves; Seeds
Poison symptoms
Nervousness, trembling, slow pulse, pupil dilation, seizures (dogs), difficult breathing, abdominal pain, vomiting, diarrhea, weakness, convulsions; may be fatal. Early signs: muscular tremors, dyspnea, seizures in dogs.
Toxic principle
Alkaloid taxine
Contact dermatitis
No
Toxicity summary
High severity poison; parts: Bark; Fruits; Leaves; Seeds