6 named cultivars

shrub

Anglo-Japanese Yew

The Story

Plant Bio

Taxus x media, the Anglo-Japanese yew, is a dense needled evergreen raised by crossing English and Japanese yew, combining the English yew's dark foliage with the Japanese yew's cold hardiness. Growth is slow and habit varies enormously by cultivar, from two-foot spreading forms to twenty-foot columns, all carrying flat olive to dark green needles.

Yew is among the most dangerously poisonous plants in general cultivation: all parts except the red flesh of the aril contain cardiotoxic taxines, and poisoning can be fatal with little warning. The bright red arils are attractive to children and the toxic seed sits inside them, so think carefully before planting it where small children or grazing animals have access.

Uses & Benefits:

Dense dark evergreen foliage that clips to a crisp edge, with red arils on female plants.

Tolerates deep shade, drought, urban conditions and hard renovation pruning better than any other conifer.

Birds eat the fleshy arils and pass the seed unharmed; the dense growth gives excellent nesting cover.

Essentials

At a Glance

Plant Type

Shrub

Height

45 inches

Width

60 inches

Light

Full Sun, Partial Sun, Shade

Zones

4, 5, 6, 7

Water

Moderate

Humidity

Moderate

Lifespan

Perennial

Native To

Garden hybrid of English and Japanese yew

Toxicity

Highly toxic; can be fatal if eaten

Planting

How to Grow

Plant in well-drained soil; it will not tolerate wet feet.
Give it full sun to heavy shade — it accepts either.
Choose the cultivar for the shape you want.
Water through the first two summers.
Shear or prune in late spring; it regrows from old wood.
Keep clippings away from horses and livestock.

Pro Tip

Yew is one of the few conifers that resprouts from bare old wood, so an overgrown plant can be cut back hard and will recover.

Keep It Thriving

Care Guide

Do

Plant it in genuinely well-drained soil 🌱
Prune or shear in late spring ✂️
Use it for shade where little else grows 🌑
Dispose of clippings away from animals ⚠️

Don't

Plant it in wet or heavy ground ❌
Let children eat the red berries ❌
Throw clippings into a paddock or field ❌

Seasonal Care Calendar

Task	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Check Drainage
Prune

Watch Out For

Pests & Diseases

Common Pests

Common Diseases

In the Garden

Landscape Uses & Companions

Landscape Uses

Clipped evergreen hedge or topiaryFoundation planting in shadeScreening in difficult, dry, shaded sites

Companion Plants

HostaHellebore Autumn Fern Boxwood Mahonia

Multiply

Propagation Methods

Good to Know

Common Questions

Anglo-Japanese Yew questions

What zones can Anglo-Japanese Yew grow in?

Anglo-Japanese 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 Anglo-Japanese Yew deer resistant?

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

When does Anglo-Japanese Yew bloom?

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

Does Anglo-Japanese Yew need full sun?

Anglo-Japanese Yew does best in full sun to part shade. In hot climates, afternoon shade keeps blooms fresher longer.

Is Anglo-Japanese Yew drought tolerant?

Yes — once established (usually after the first full season), Anglo-Japanese Yew handles dry spells with minimal watering. Water deeply its first year to build the root system that makes that possible.