Taxus canadensis (American Yew)

A true American native, Taxus canadensis (American Yew) is an open, sprawling evergreen shrub with spreading and ascending branches clothed with flat, narrow, dark green needles with pale green undersides.

A true American native, Taxus canadensis (American Yew) is an open, sprawling evergreen shrub with spreading and ascending branches clothed with flat, narrow, dark green needles with pale green undersides. The foliage becomes reddish-brown in winter. In summer, a profusion of cup-shaped, bright red, berry-like cones are produced on female plants. Slow-growing, this Yew is perfect to stabilize soils along streams, ponds, and bogs or in mass plantings as a ground cover.

  • Grows up to 3-5 ft. tall (90-150 cm) and 6-8 ft. wide (180-240 cm).
  • A partial shade lover, this plant is easily grown in humusy, moist, well-drained soils. Tolerates full shade. Needs protection from winter sun and wind, heat, or drought.
  • Propagate by stem cuttings in fall or winter.
  • Most parts, especially the seeds, are highly toxic by ingestion. The taxine alkaloids contained in yew berries, needles, or bark are poisonous.
  • Toxic to dogs, toxic to cats, toxic to horses, toxic to humans.
  • Native to central and eastern America

Requirements

Hardiness 3
– 7

Plant Type Conifers, Shrubs
Plant Family Taxus – Yews
Exposure Partial Sun, Shade
Season of Interest Spring (Early,Mid,Late)Summer (Early,Mid,Late)FallWinter
Height 3'
– 5'
(90cm
– 150cm)
Spread 6'
– 8'
(180cm
– 240cm)
Spacing 84″
– 96″
(210cm
– 240cm)
Water Needs Average
Maintenance Low
Soil Type Clay, Loam
Soil pH Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage Moist but Well-Drained
Characteristics Showy, Evergreen, Fruit & Berries
Native Plants United States, Midwest, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio, Wisconsin, Northeast, Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, Maryland, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Southeast, Kentucky, North Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia
Garden Uses Banks and Slopes
Garden Styles Informal and Cottage, Prairie and Meadow