Yew shrubs (Genus: Taxus) are a very popular needle-leaf evergreen. Yews are pretty diverse and the most popular uses for Yews include foundation plants, backdrops, tall screens, clipped hedges, and even as a ground cover. 

Yews are a pretty tolerant shrub.  It grows in pretty much any well drained type of soil and have known pest problems.Because yews grown new foliage on old wood, they can handle being pruned. 

Overall, yews are tough shrubs known to live a long time.  Not only will you love your Yew evergreen shrubs but so will deer! If you have a lot of deer where you live, you might want to consider a different evergreen shrub. 

One other interesting tidbit, Yew shrubs are coniferous but don’t produce cones.  Instead the female plants produce juicy, scarlet, berry-like fruit from late summer into fall.  The fruit is poisonous to humans, pets & birds.  Actually, it is the seed inside the fruit that is deadly poisonous.  It’s only the female that produces the berries. If you really want to plant yew evergreen shrubs, call the nursery & find out if they can ensure you just get male species.

Most Popular Yews

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Are yew shrubs deer resistant?

Yes, Yew shrubs are deer resistant. Yew shrubs contain an alkaline that deer don’t like.

Are Yew shrubs poisonous?

Yew needles, berries and even the bark are toxic to both pets and humans. The seed inside the red berries is the most toxic part to animals and humans.

 

YEW SHRUBS CARE

Yew shrubs can handle full shade to part shade and are an excellent choice for planting under a large shade tree. Although the dark green foliage cannot handle full sun and it may cause browning of the leaves, most yew plants are very heat tolerant.

Plant your yew in well drained soil conditions in early spring for those deep green needles to have the whole growing season to establish. Well drained soil helps prevent root rot. 

The yew needle like foliage will make great looking landscape plants and the slow growth habit will keep your yard looking fresh all year long. It is a wonderful choice for winter color as it has some cold hardiness and maintains its shiny dark green color year round.

Careful! The needles and scarlet berries of the toxic plant are harmful if ingested and have been known to cause yew poisonings.

 

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