Common Yew
Common Yew
Taxus baccata
A noble evergreen for tall hedges and topiary, dark, dense and patient.
Checked by the editorial team – Updated July 2026
Common Yew (Taxus baccata) is a conifère in the Taxaceae family. It is mainly grown in partial shade, shade, sun, in acidic, chalky, well-drained, moist soil, with a mature size around 0,5 m to 5 m. Its to be confirmed flowering and hardiness to -30 deg C make it a plant to match carefully with place and purpose.
Botanical identity card
Gardener calendar
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| Care |
With common yew, refinement is not rarity but accuracy: the right place first, then the quiet gesture. For container, Colonnaire, Couvre sol, a well-trained plant is worth more than a forced one.
– Les Jardins d’un Chatelain
Portrait
A noble evergreen for tall hedges and topiary, dark, dense and patient.
In a character garden, common yew is first used to build a scene: container, Colonnaire, Couvre sol, Elancé, upright. The position should be chosen before purchase, because the plant performs better when light, soil and mature size agree.
The reference record points to partial shade, shade, sun and acidic, chalky, well-drained, moist soil. Respecting that match is the quiet economy of good gardening: fewer corrections, less water and cleaner pruning.
Notable varieties
| Variety or form | Useful character | Garden situation |
|---|---|---|
| Taxus baccata ‘Fastigiata Aurea’ | to be confirmed – Colonnaire,Conique,Fastigié,Pyramidal – 3 m to 5 m | container, Colonnaire, Couvre sol |
| Taxus baccata ‘Repandens’ | to be confirmed – Couvre-Sol / Retombant – 0,5 m to 1 m | container, edging, Couvre-Sol |
| Taxus baccata ‘Repandens Aurea’ | to be confirmed – Couvre-Sol / Retombant – 0,5 m to 1 m | container, edging, Couvre-Sol |
| Taxus baccata ‘Robusta’ | to be confirmed – Colonnaire,Conique,Fastigié,Pyramidal – 3 m to 5 m | container, Colonnaire, Couvre sol |
| Taxus baccata ‘Standishii’ | to be confirmed – Colonnaire,Conique – 1 m to 1,5 m | container, edging, Couvre sol |
The Chatelain Method
Observe
Give depth and avoid waterlogged soil.
Diagnose
Yellowing calls for drainage and root-establishment checks.
Correct
Water young plants deeply.
Prevent
Clip regularly rather than cutting back brutally.
Frequently asked questions
When should Common Yew be planted?
Use the calendar above as the first guide. Outside frost, heatwaves and waterlogged soil, planting works best while the ground is cool and workable.
Which exposure is best?
Common Yew prefers partial shade, shade, sun. In hot climates, shelter from the harshest sun reduces stress.
What soil does it need?
The reference data points to acidic, chalky, well-drained, moist soil. Improve the planting hole before planting rather than correcting later.
Is Common Yew hardy?
Available data indicates hardiness down to -30 deg C, to be adjusted for wind, winter wet and plant age.