Description
English Yew Hedging Plants – Taxus baccata
Taxus baccata, commonly known as English Yew, is a classic evergreen shrub that provides dense, vibrant foliage throughout the year. With its slow-growing habit and natural resilience, it is perfect for creating formal hedges, privacy screens, or topiary. Known for its versatility, Taxus baccata thrives in various soil types and growing conditions, making it an ideal choice for a variety of garden styles. Whether used to form structured hedges, or as a backdrop for other plants, the English Yew adds timeless beauty and functionality to your garden. Features of Taxus baccata
Taxus baccata is a dense, upright evergreen shrub or tree that can grow up to 6 meters tall, though it is commonly kept at a height of 2 to 3 meters when used for hedging. Its needle-like leaves are a deep, dark green, providing year-round coverage and a rich, full appearance. English Yew is also known for its ability to tolerate shade, making it an excellent choice for a low-maintenance hedge for shaded areas. It produces red berries in autumn, adding seasonal interest, though the seeds inside the berries are toxic to humans. The plant is hardy and adaptable to a range of growing conditions. Why Choose Taxus baccata for Hedging?
English Yew is a preferred choice for creating elegant, dense hedges that offer privacy and shelter. Its slow growth means that it requires less frequent trimming, making it an easy shrub to care for once established. Its dense foliage offers exceptional coverage, providing a solid privacy screen or windbreak. English Yew also adapts well to a variety of light conditions, from full sun to deep shade, and thrives in most soil types, including clay, loam, and sandy soils. Benefits for Nature
Taxus baccata is a valuable plant for wildlife gardens. While its berries are toxic to humans, they provide food for birds, and its dense foliage offers shelter and nesting sites for small birds and insects. English Yew is a versatile plant that supports local biodiversity by providing a habitat and food source for a variety of species. The plant’s ability to tolerate shade also allows it to support more diverse ecosystems in woodland or shaded garden areas. Landscaping and Design Uses
Taxus baccata is highly versatile in landscaping, ideal for creating formal hedges, garden borders, or topiary. Its slow-growing nature and dense foliage make it perfect for creating neat, formal hedges or architectural features. It also works well in more informal garden settings where it can be allowed to grow naturally for a relaxed look. English Yew is suitable for small gardens, woodland gardens, or urban environments, where its tolerance for shade and low-maintenance nature are appreciated. Growing Conditions
Taxus baccata is highly adaptable and thrives in well-drained soils, including clay, loam, and sandy soils. It prefers partial to full sun but can tolerate full shade, making it a great option for shaded or woodland areas. This plant is hardy and can withstand cold temperatures, making it well-suited for most UK climates. Once established, English Yew is drought-tolerant and relatively low-maintenance. Fun Fact
English Yew has been used for centuries in British gardens and landscapes. It was once commonly planted in churchyards and gardens, partly due to its slow growth, resilience, and ability to thrive in challenging conditions. The plant is also symbolic of longevity and endurance in many cultures. Summary
Taxus baccata, or English Yew, is a slow-growing, dense evergreen shrub perfect for creating formal hedges, topiary, or privacy screens. Its rich green foliage offers year-round coverage, and its ability to thrive in a range of soil types and light conditions makes it highly versatile. This hardy shrub provides shelter for wildlife and is a timeless choice for both traditional and modern garden designs. Disclaimer
Taxus baccata plants may vary in appearance depending on the season and maturity. Regular pruning is recommended to maintain shape and encourage healthy growth. Delivery
FREE Specialist Delivery Available
At Harrod Outdoors, we take pride in delivering top-quality plants with care and efficiency, directly to your doorstep. Our delivery options are tailored to suit the size and type of your plants, ensuring they arrive in perfect condition, ready to transform your outdoor space. With free specialist delivery available on qualifying orders across most of the UK, and clear delivery timelines of 10-15 working days (up to 30 for larger or custom orders), we make it simple and stress-free.
If you need help selecting the right plants or have specific delivery requirements, our friendly team is here to assist. You can trust us to handle your order with expertise every step of the way. View our Delivery Policy or Contact Us for more information.
FAQ's
Frequently Asked Questions about Taxus baccata (English Yew) Hedging Plants
How fast does Taxus baccata grow, and is it suitable for hedging?
Taxus baccata is a slow-growing shrub, typically growing at a rate of 20 to 30 cm per year. This makes it an ideal choice for gardeners looking for a low-maintenance hedge that requires less frequent trimming. It forms a dense, evergreen hedge that offers excellent privacy and shelter, reaching a mature height of 2 to 6 meters, depending on the growing conditions and pruning.
What are the ideal growing conditions for Taxus baccata?
Taxus baccata thrives in well-drained, fertile soils, including clay, loam, and sandy types. It prefers partial to full sun but can tolerate full shade, making it a great option for shaded or woodland areas. It is hardy and can tolerate colder temperatures, which makes it well-suited for most UK climates. Once established, English Yew is drought-tolerant and relatively low-maintenance.
Does Taxus baccata require a lot of maintenance?
Taxus baccata is a relatively low-maintenance plant. While it grows slowly, it may need occasional pruning to maintain its shape and density, especially when used for hedging or topiary. It is a hardy, resilient plant that doesn’t require much care beyond general trimming to keep it looking tidy. Regular pruning also encourages healthy growth and helps the plant develop its dense, bushy form.
Is Taxus baccata suitable for wildlife-friendly gardens?
Yes, Taxus baccata is beneficial for wildlife. While its berries are toxic to humans, they provide food for birds. The dense foliage offers shelter and nesting sites for small birds and insects. The evergreen nature of the plant ensures year-round cover for wildlife, making it a great addition to any wildlife-friendly garden.
Can Taxus baccata be used in both formal and informal garden designs?
Yes, Taxus baccata is highly versatile and can be used in both formal and informal garden designs. Its slow-growing nature and dense foliage make it ideal for creating neat, formal hedges, topiary, or architectural features. It can also be left to grow naturally for a more informal, relaxed appearance, making it suitable for a variety of landscaping styles.
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Minimum Order Quantities
At Harrod Outdoors, we want to provide you with the highest-quality plants and excellent service. To ensure efficiency and keep costs manageable, we’ve implemented minimum order quantities for bare root hedging plants and the smallest size of pot-grown plants (15-30cm). This policy helps us handle the sourcing, lifting, and transportation of these products more effectively.
When shopping with us, here are the minimum order quantities for our products:
Product Type | Size | Minimum Order Quantity | Order Increment |
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Bare Root Plants | 15-30cm | 100 plants | Step up by 5 |
30-50cm | 50 plants | Step up by 5 |
50-70cm | 25 plants | Step up by 5 |
71cm+ | 10 plants | Step up by 1 |
Pot Grown Plants | 15-30cm | 50 plants | Step up by 5 |