Common yew
Taxus baccata · Taxaceae
📷 Sitomon · CC BY-SA 2.0
⚠️ Chiens, chats, enfants : aiguilles et baies rouges par ingestion contiennent taxine, très toxique, danger grave.
The gardener's calendar
In autumn, ease off feeding and take the chance to clean up around common yew and prepare for winter.
ID card
- Foliage
- Evergreen, dark green
- Flowering
- Discreet, insignificant flowers in spring
- Fruits
- Fleshy red arils (toxic)
- Mature size
- 6 m in height, narrow to wide-branching habit
- Growth
- Very slow
- Hardiness
- Excellent, down to -20 °C
- Origin
- Western Europe, temperate regions
- Soil type
- Well-drained, neutral to alkaline, tolerates chalky soil
✓ Taxonomy verifiedSource: AI estimate · hardiness: reliability high.
Expert tips
The key tip
Yew thrives in shade, even full shade. It fears waterlogged roots far more than cold or darkness.
The common mistake
Planting in compacted soil where winter water pools and stagnates.
The pro's trick
If drainage is questionable, plant your Yew on a gentle mound.
Care
Light exposure
Yew appreciates partial shade to full shade, but also tolerates direct sun in cool zones. Plant it under tree cover or on a north-facing wall. Excessively bright exposure in Mediterranean climates can dry out its foliage.
Watering
Needs are moderate. Water regularly during the first year to establish roots. Then keep the soil moist but not waterlogged, especially during dry spells. Yew dislikes stagnant, excessive moisture.
Soil and drainage
Prefer well-drained soil, neutral to alkaline. Yew tolerates chalky soils and poor ground well. Avoid acidic or permanently wet soils. A compost addition at planting time is sufficient.
Pruning and maintenance
Prune lightly in late winter or early spring to maintain shape. Yew withstands pruning well and regenerates quickly. Remove dead or diseased wood. No drastic pruning is necessary; slow growth limits the need for intervention.
Fertilizing
Yew is undemanding. An annual application of compost or balanced fertilizer in spring is enough. Avoid excess nitrogen, which promotes soft growth unsuitable for this shrub.
Diseases and pests
Yew is generally robust. Watch for scale insects, aphids or spider mites in dry conditions. In overly wet soil, root rot can occur. Good air circulation and adequate drainage prevent most problems.
Did you know?
Yew is one of Europe's oldest trees: some thousand-year-old yews are still thriving in English cemeteries and parks. In the Middle Ages, its flexible and resistant wood was used to craft the bows of English archers, notably at the Battle of Agincourt. This martial use marked its history and makes it a symbol of longevity and strength.
Where to buy it
Best planted in autumn so the roots settle in before summer, or in early spring once the frost has passed. Pick a plant with healthy foliage and roots that are not exposed. Best time: March, October, November.
Add this plant to my garden →Plants from the same family
- Hybrid yewTaxus media
- Cherry treePrunus avium
- Orange treeCitrus sinensis
- Giant sequoiaSequoiadendron giganteum
- HydrangeaHydrangea macrophylla
- CamelliaCamellia japonica
Tips generated and checked by Viridia — adapt them to your local climate.