Also known as Yew · 536 saves
Taxus
Taxus, the genus most gardeners know as yew. We track 23 varieties; the ones most used by real gardeners.
The 23 most-saved Taxus varieties
3 species of Taxus
Each one is a parent of the varieties above.
Track your Taxus in Sow
Save the Taxus you grow and get care reminders timed to your zone.
How to grow Taxus
Whats common across all Taxus varieties in our catalog — drawn from the care records of the 23 most-grown of them.
The Taxus year
- PruneMay and June91% of varieties
Shear or prune once or twice in early to mid-summer to maintain hedge form.
- FertilizeMarch70% of varieties
Apply balanced slow-release fertilizer in early spring
- Check for PestsApril–July61% of varieties
Inspect for scale insects, mealybugs, and vine weevil damage.
- PlantMarch, April, September and October35% of varieties
Plant in spring or fall in any well-drained soil.
Do
- Prune to maintain shape and remove dead branches
- Provide excellent drainage.
- Water regularly during dry spells 🌱
- Water deeply during dry spells 🌱
- Mulch annually to conserve moisture
Avoid
- Avoid overwatering to prevent root rot ❌
- Do not plant in waterlogged or poorly drained soil.
- Avoid overwatering ❌
- Don’t prune in late summer or fall
What goes wrong with Taxus
| Problem | What you'll see | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Scale insects | Sticky honeydew and sooty mold | Use horticultural oil or insecticidal soap |
| Black Vine Weevil | Notching on needle edges from adults; larvae damage roots causing wilt. | Apply beneficial nematodes to soil for larvae. Use pyrethroid-based insecticides for adults. |
| Scale Insects | Small, immobile bumps on stems and needles, often with sticky honeydew. | Spray with horticultural oil in early spring. For heavy infestations, use a systemic insecticide. |
| Yew Scale | Brown, oyster-shaped scales on needles and twigs, leading to yellowing and sooty mold. | Apply dormant oil in late winter. Use horticultural oil or insecticidal soap when crawlers are active. |
| Root rot | Wilting, yellowing foliage | Improve drainage and reduce watering |
| Phytophthora Root Rot | Foliage turns dull green, then yellow or brown. Plant wilts and dies. Roots are black and mushy. | No cure. Prevention is key: plant in well-drained soil or raised beds. Remove and destroy infected plants. |
| Root Rot | Dull, yellowing, or browning foliage; wilting; plant death. Caused by poorly drained soil. | Improve soil drainage before planting. There is no cure. Remove and destroy infected plants. |
Making more Taxus
Cuttings
- Take semi-hardwood cuttings in late summer
- Dip in rooting hormone and plant in moist soil
- Keep soil consistently moist for 6 weeks
Semi-hardwood cuttings
- Take 6-inch cuttings in late summer or early autumn.
- Remove needles from the bottom half and dip in rooting hormone.
- Stick in a mix of peat and perlite.
- Keep moist in a cold frame; rooting may take up to a year.
Taxus questions
How many types of Taxus are there?
The Sow catalog tracks 23 distinct Taxus varieties. The most popular — ranked by 536 real gardeners — are shown first above.
What zones does Taxus grow in?
Across its varieties, Taxus covers USDA Zones 4–9. Individual varieties differ — each plant page lists its exact range, and Sow filters the catalog to your zone automatically.
When does Taxus bloom?
Most Taxus varieties bloom in mid spring, early spring, late fall. Staggering early, mid, and late varieties extends the genus's season in one bed.
Which Taxus should I choose?
Start from the most-saved varieties above — popularity across thousands of gardens is a strong signal of reliability — then filter by your zone and sun. In the Sow app you can preview any of them in a photo of your actual yard before you buy.