shrubN. America Native

Canada Yew

Taxus canadensis

The Story

Plant Bio

Taxus canadensis, commonly known as Canada yew, is a sprawling, low-growing evergreen shrub native to the cool, moist understories of eastern North American forests. Its flat, linear needles are arranged in two distinct rows along the twigs, showing dark green above and pale yellowish-green beneath.

Unlike upright ornamental yews, this species has a trailing habit with branches that frequently root where they contact the soil, eventually forming broad, loose colonies. In late summer, female plants produce conspicuous, fleshy red arils that cup a single toxic seed, contrasting sharply with the dark foliage.

Uses & Benefits:

Provides dense, low-growing evergreen structure and bright red late-summer arils in deep shade settings.

Functions as an effective, shade-tolerant ground cover or low hedge that roots naturally to stabilize understory soils.

Offers critical winter cover and high-value browse for native mammals, while birds consume the fleshy arils.

Essentials

At a Glance

Plant Type

Shrub

Height

71"

Width

98"

Light

Partial Sun, Shade

Zones

4, 5, 6, 7

Water

Medium

Humidity

Moderate to high

Lifespan

Long-lived perennial

Native To

North America

Toxicity

Highly toxic to humans, pets, and livestock

Bloom period

Spring

In flower about 3 months of the year

Planting

How to Grow

Select a planting site in partial to deep shade with rich, organic, well-drained soil.
Dig a hole twice the width of the root ball and amend with compost to ensure high organic matter.
Plant the shrub at the same depth as its container, backfill, and water thoroughly to settle the soil.
Apply a thick layer of organic mulch to retain moisture and protect the shallow roots from temperature extremes.

Pro Tip

Avoid pruning back into old, leafless wood, as the stems lack latent buds and will fail to regenerate.

Keep It Thriving

Care Guide

Do

Keep the soil consistently moist, especially during dry summer spells.
Provide protection from sweeping winter winds to prevent foliage desiccation.
Install physical barriers or netting if white-tailed deer are active in the area.

Don't

Do not plant in poorly drained clay or areas prone to standing water.
Avoid exposing the plant to full, hot afternoon sun.
Never prune heavily into old, bare wood that lacks green needles.

Seasonal Care Calendar

Task	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Fertilize
Mulch
Pest Check
Prune
Winter Prep

Watch Out For

Pests & Diseases

Common Pests

Common Diseases

In the Garden

Landscape Uses & Companions

Landscape Uses

Shade GardensWoodland UnderstoryNaturalized AreasLow Hedge

Companion Plants

Thuja occidentalis Tsuga canadensis Acer saccharum Polystichum acrostichoides

Multiply

Propagation Methods

Good to Know

Common Questions

Canada Yew questions

What zones can Canada Yew grow in?

Canada Yew is hardy in USDA Zones 4–7. Inside that range it survives winter in the ground; outside it, grow it as an annual or a container plant you protect.

Is Canada Yew deer resistant?

Not reliably. Deer may browse Canada Yew, especially tender spring growth — plan on repellents or fencing where pressure is high.

When does Canada Yew bloom?

Canada Yew typically blooms in spring through spring. Exact timing shifts a week or two with your zone — Sow's bloom calendar maps it to your garden.

Does Canada Yew need full sun?

Canada Yew does best in part shade.