Overview
Taxus is a bushy, columnar upright, matforming conifer in the genus Taxus, part of the Taxaceae family, with evergreen foliage. Taxus grows best in full sun, partial shade and full shade, and tolerates most soils and any pH. Its UK hardiness is rated H7. Suggested uses include hedging and screens, topiary and ground cover. It is native to Afghanistan, Alaska, Albania, Alberta, Algeria, Assam, Austria, Azores, Baleares, Baltic States, Belarus, Belgium, British Columbia, Bulgaria, California, Central European Russia, China North-Central, China South-Central, China Southeast, Connecticut, Corse, Czechia-Slovakia, Denmark, East European Russia, East Himalaya, El Salvador, Finland, Florida, France, Germany, Great Britain, Greece, Guatemala, Hainan, Honduras, Hungary, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Iran, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Kentucky, Korea, Kriti, Krym, Kuril Is., Labrador, Laos, Maine, Manchuria, Manitoba, Maryland, Massachusetts, Mexico Central, Mexico Gulf, Mexico Northeast, Mexico Southeast, Mexico Southwest, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, Morocco, Myanmar, Nepal, Netherlands, New Brunswick, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Newfoundland, North Caucasus, North European Russia, Northwest European Russia, Norway, Nova Scotia, NW. Balkan Pen., Ohio, Ontario, Oregon, Pakistan, Pennsylvania, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Primorye, Prince Edward I., Québec, Rhode I., Romania, Sakhalin, Sardegna, Sicilia, South European Russia, Spain, Sulawesi, Sumatera, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, Tennessee, Tibet, Transcaucasus, Türkiye, Türkiye-in-Europe, Ukraine, Vermont, Vietnam, Virginia, Washington, West Himalaya, West Virginia and Wisconsin.
About
Taxus is an evergreen conifer available in forms from columnar and upright to mat-forming, used widely for hedging, topiary and ground cover. It tolerates a wide range of light from full sun to full shade and grows in most well‑drained soils. Suitable across many aspects and both exposed and sheltered sites, it carries a UK hardiness rating of H7 (fully hardy). Select forms to match space and purpose in the garden.
About the genus
Taxus is a genus of coniferous trees or shrubs known as yews in the family Taxaceae. Yews occur around the globe in temperate zones of the northern hemisphere, northernmost in Norway and southernmost in the South Celebes.
Growing conditions
Best soil and position for Taxus
- Sunlight
- Full sun, Partial shade, Full shade
- Soil type
- Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
- Soil pH
- Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
- Soil moisture
- Well-drained
- Aspect
- North-facing, South-facing, East-facing, West-facing
- Exposure
- Exposed, Sheltered
- UK hardiness
- H7
Plant details
Taxus size, habit and characteristics
- Plant type
- Conifer
- Habit
- Bushy, Columnar upright, Matforming
- Foliage
- Evergreen
- Suggested uses
- Hedging and screens, Topiary, Ground cover
- Native to
- Afghanistan, Alaska, Albania, Alberta, Algeria, Assam, Austria, Azores, Baleares, Baltic States, Belarus, Belgium, British Columbia, Bulgaria, California, Central European Russia, China North-Central, China South-Central, China Southeast, Connecticut, Corse, Czechia-Slovakia, Denmark, East European Russia, East Himalaya, El Salvador, Finland, Florida, France, Germany, Great Britain, Greece, Guatemala, Hainan, Honduras, Hungary, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Iran, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Kentucky, Korea, Kriti, Krym, Kuril Is., Labrador, Laos, Maine, Manchuria, Manitoba, Maryland, Massachusetts, Mexico Central, Mexico Gulf, Mexico Northeast, Mexico Southeast, Mexico Southwest, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, Morocco, Myanmar, Nepal, Netherlands, New Brunswick, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Newfoundland, North Caucasus, North European Russia, Northwest European Russia, Norway, Nova Scotia, NW. Balkan Pen., Ohio, Ontario, Oregon, Pakistan, Pennsylvania, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Primorye, Prince Edward I., Québec, Rhode I., Romania, Sakhalin, Sardegna, Sicilia, South European Russia, Spain, Sulawesi, Sumatera, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, Tennessee, Tibet, Transcaucasus, Türkiye, Türkiye-in-Europe, Ukraine, Vermont, Vietnam, Virginia, Washington, West Himalaya, West Virginia, Wisconsin
Care notes
Pruning and caring for Taxus
- Propagation
- Semi-hardwood cuttings, Grafting
- Pest resistance
- Tortrix moth, Vine weevil, Gall mites, Scale insects
- Disease resistance
- Phytophthora root diseases, Honey fungus
Frequently asked questions
Where is the best place to plant Taxus?
Taxus prefers full sun, partial shade and full shade. It suits exposed and sheltered positions.
What soil does Taxus need?
Taxus is adaptable and grows happily in most soil types, including chalk, clay, loam and sand. It is happy in soil of any pH. Aim for soil that stays well-drained.
Is Taxus hardy in the UK?
Taxus has an RHS hardiness rating of H7, meaning it is fully hardy throughout the UK, tolerating temperatures below -20°C.
How do I propagate Taxus?
Semi-hardwood cuttings, Grafting.
More in the Taxus genus
- Taxus baccatacommon yew
- Taxus baccata 'Barabits' Express'
- Taxus baccata 'Bultinck Orange Beauty'
- Taxus baccata 'Cristata' (m)
- Taxus baccata 'Fastigiata Aureovariegata' (v)
- Taxus baccata 'Fastigiata Robusta' (f)yew 'Fastigiata Robusta'
- Taxus baccata 'Goldener Zwerg' (m)
- Taxus baccata 'Gracilis Pendula' (m)