English Yew is a classic hedging plant and is very popular in the UK. Yews are one of the oldest plants used in today's garden and they have truly stood the test of time. This dark, dense evergreen is easy to maintain and in the autumn the female plants produce fleshy, bright red fruits. English Yew is perfect as a background for garden borders as a tall, formal hedge but is also beautifully trimmed into strong, sturdy shapes. Characteristics Flower Colour: yellow Foliage Colour: green Approx. Growth Height: 4-8m (13ft-26ft) Flowering Period: spring Tolerance: high shade tolerance, tolerant to drought, tolerant to chalky and acidic soils Growing Habit: bushy Hardiness: very hardy Exposure: exposed, sheltered Rate of Growth: slow Wildlife friendly - inedible berries attract birds and small mammals, and the dense foliage provides nesting sites Arrives bare-root at a height of 20-30cm (8in-1ft) Requirements Light Requirements: full sun, partial shade, full shade Soil Requirements: all soil types Moisture: well-drained Planting Planting Distance: 45-60cm (1'6"-2ft) to form a hedge Yew hedges will grow in almost all soils with good drainage. It can tolerate shade, chalky soil and exposed or cold sites. When mature, yew can also cope with drought. Caring and Maintenance After planting and while the yew is still young it is important to keep it well-watered to ensure root establishment. Because yew is evergreen it will need to be watered all year, especially in dry winter weather. In the first year the yew will not need clipping. After this, it can be trimmed lightly once a year until it reaches maturity, when it can be clipped anytime. In the first year after planting you should expect little or no growth from your yew. Maintain at 90-180cm (3-6ft) or as taller hedges or screens. Please Note: No part of this plant is suitable for consumption and it should not be planted in reach of grazing animals such as horses and cattle.
