Japanese Yew
Scientific Name: Taxus cuspidata (commonly also includes hybrids such as Taxus × media)
Japanese Yew is a classic evergreen conifer prized for its dense growth, rich dark green needles, and exceptional tolerance for pruning. It forms a naturally elegant, upright-to-spreading habit that can be shaped into formal hedges, foundation plantings, or even small specimen trees.
This versatile landscape plant is valued for its year-round structure and shade tolerance, thriving in areas where many evergreens struggle. Its soft-looking needles and fine texture give it a refined appearance that works well in both traditional and modern garden designs.
Japanese Yew is extremely long-lived and low maintenance once established, making it a dependable choice for privacy screens, borders, and structured landscape designs.
Features
- Dense, dark green evergreen foliage
- Excellent for hedges, topiary, and foundation planting
- Highly shade tolerant compared to many conifers
- Long-lived and very adaptable
- Responds well to pruning and shaping
Growing Information
- Light: Full sun to full shade
- Mature Size: 4–20+ feet tall (varies by variety and pruning)
- USDA Zones: 4–7
- Water Needs: Moderate, prefers well-drained soil
- Growth Habit: Evergreen shrub to small tree
