Overview
Taxus canadensis is a bushy, columnar upright, matforming conifers in the genus Taxus, part of the Taxaceae family, with evergreen foliage. It typically grows around 1.5 m tall. Taxus canadensis grows best in full sun 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 Connecticut, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Labrador, Maine, Manitoba, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, New Brunswick, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Newfoundland, Nova Scotia, Ohio, Ontario, Pennsylvania, Prince Edward I., Québec, Rhode I., Tennessee, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia and Wisconsin.
About
Taxus canadensis, the Canada yew or Canadian yew, is a conifer native to central and eastern North America, thriving in swampy woods, ravines, riverbanks and on lake shores. Locally called simply as "yew", this species is also referred to as American yew or ground-hemlock.
Growing conditions
Best soil and position for Taxus
- Sunlight
- Full sun, Full shade
- Soil type
- Sandy, Loamy, Clay
- Soil pH
- Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
- Soil moisture
- Well-drained, Moist but well-drained
- Aspect
- North-facing, South-facing, East-facing, West-facing
- Exposure
- Exposed, Sheltered
- UK hardiness
- H7
Plant details
Taxus canadensis size, habit and characteristics
- Plant type
- Conifers, Trees
- Habit
- Bushy, Columnar upright, Matforming
- Foliage
- Evergreen
- Height
- 1.5 m
- Suggested uses
- Hedging and screens, Topiary, Ground cover
- Native to
- Connecticut, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Labrador, Maine, Manitoba, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, New Brunswick, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Newfoundland, Nova Scotia, Ohio, Ontario, Pennsylvania, Prince Edward I., Québec, Rhode I., Tennessee, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, Wisconsin
Care notes
Pruning and caring for Taxus canadensis
- 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 canadensis?
Taxus canadensis prefers full sun and full shade. It suits exposed and sheltered positions.
What soil does Taxus canadensis need?
Taxus canadensis is adaptable and grows happily in most soil types, including sandy, loamy and clay. It is happy in soil of any pH. Aim for soil that stays well-drained to moist but well-drained.
How big does Taxus canadensis grow?
Taxus canadensis reaches a height of 1.5 m.
Is Taxus canadensis hardy in the UK?
Taxus canadensis 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 canadensis?
Semi-hardwood cuttings, Grafting.
More in the Taxus genus
- Taxusyew
- 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)