About
A small but wide-spreading evergreen shrub with long trailing shoots clothed in narrow, dark green leaves. A good alternative to Buxus (Box) for hedging.
About the genus
Taxus are small evergreen trees or large shrubs of rounded habit, with dense, linear leaves, insignificant flowers and, on female plants, conspicuous fleshy red arils surrounding the solitary seeds
Growing conditions
SunlightFull shade, Full sun, Partial shade
Soil typeChalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pHAcid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil moistureWell-drained
AspectSouth-facing, North-facing, West-facing, East-facing
ExposureExposed, Sheltered
UK hardinessH7
Plant details
Plant typeShrubs, Conifers
HabitMatforming
FoliageEvergreen
Height0.1-0.5 metres
Spread2.5-4 metres
Time to full height20-50 years
Suggested usesSpecimen planting, large borders, parkland settings.
ToxicityTOXIC if eaten. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling. TOXIC to pets if eaten - see the HTA guide to potentially harmful plants for further information and useful contact numbers
Care notes
CultivationGrow in any well-drained soil. Can be used as ground cover. Tolerant of exposure and urban pollution
PruningNo regular pruning required, but can be trimmed and shaped
PropagationPropagate by semi-hardwood cuttings or grafting
Pest resistanceMay be susceptible to tortrix moth, vine weevil, gall mites and scale insects
Disease resistanceMay be susceptible to phytophthora root diseases and honey fungus (rarely)