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yew are popular evergreen conifers that have many uses in both the garden and the landscape . These are some of those rarefied , dense evergreen plant that can be grown as a narrow hedge in a shady area . Gardeners should take note of this plant life ’s toxic properties before planting them , however .
What Is A Yew Plant?
Yews are evergreen cone-bearing trees of the Taxaceae family . There are about 2 dozen species in theTaxusgenus , and they are all pretty standardised flora .
The various specie of yews can be found across much of Asia , Europe , North , and Central America . yew are conifers , which have in mind they have needle - same leaves and do not produce peak . The Male produce cones while the females raise fruit - similar social organisation known as aril .
Yews areshrubsor tree that raise from less than 10 infantry ( 3 m ) to over 60 feet ( 18 m ) tall calculate on the species .
The yew foliage comprise of flattened , stretch needles that are about half an inch to 1.5 inches ( 13 to 38 mm ) long and about an 8th of an inch ( 3 mm ) across . These leave are deep green in wild - type plants , although prosperous and variegated forms are available .
The male cones are a light brownish coloring and are rounded , measuring up to about ¼ inch ( 6 mm ) in diameter . If there is a male plant nearby , distaff plant life will produce slew of drear garden pink to burnished red aril .
These fleshy , loving cup - determine structures each contain a single black cum . The arils measure up to about half an column inch in size ( 12 mm ) and can provide outstanding coloring material in the declension .
Popular Yew Species And Hybrids
English Yew Taxus baccata
The English yew is a openhanded , wide - spreading coinage that reaches a elevation of over 60 feet ( 18 m ) and widths of over 20 feet ( 6 yard ) in ancient specimens . The leaves are dark green needles from half an in to a little over an inch ( 13 mm to 25 mm ) in length . These leaves are dark gullible above and lighter below .
This metal money is native to Europe , Western Asia , and parts of North Africa . It is less cold - hardy than others like the Nipponese yew and does best in USDA hardiness zones 6 and 7 .
Japanese Yew Taxus cuspidata
The Nipponese yew is a great plant for USDA zones 4 to 7 . They are native to Japan , China , and Korea .
This species reaches over 60 foot ( 18 chiliad ) in its natural environment but is easy to keep as a manageable bush . It has ruby-red bark and mostly unsloped stem that hold leaves to about an inch ( 25 mm ) long .
Anglo-Japanese yew Taxus x media
This democratic hybrid is a cross betweenTaxus baccataandTaxus cuspidata . They are more interchangeable to the Japanese yew than the English metal money in physical characteristics .
It is easy to uprise hybrids and several cultivars are usable that vary greatly in frame and size of it .
This taxus bush has no serious pest or disease problems and grows well in zones 4 to 7 .
Yew species native to the United States:
How To Grow A Yew Plant
Yews plant can be grown from seed but this is a slow process . Seeds set in smoke out of doors can germinate after a year or two if you have the longanimity , or you’re able to attempt 4 or 5 months warm social stratification , followed by 3 months of cold to encourage germination .
These plants can also be propagate from 4 to 6 inch ( 10 to 15 centimetre ) retentive semi - advanced cuttings that are still immature at their base in recent spring / other summertime ( 1 ) . Although not strictly necessary , using a suitable root hormone powder will ensure better results .
Yews opt gently acidic territory with a well - drained sandy structure but a good amount of organic material . The land should be keep moist , but avoid tight area and very acidic or alkaline soils .
Providing regular body of water will maintain sizable ontogenesis , especially if you live in a teetotal area .
These flora can be grow in a variety of light stipulation but will do best in full Lord’s Day to fond shade . They can , however , be grow in full shade , but the golden and variegate miscellanea run to be showier in sunnier conditions .
Yews can also make lovely container flora . Bear in psyche of course that plants in containers will demand middling frequent watering .
Care and Maintenance
Yews are low - maintenance plant that respond very well to pruning . This spend a penny them an ideal field of study for gardeners who enjoy topiary . Yew hedge only postulate to be trim once a year in the late summer or other fall . Heavy pruning or greening is well done earlier in the season , in late wintertime , to earmark for strong regrowth ( 2 ) .
The gardener can give plant food for evergreens in the spring to boost growth and allow the works to harden off before the get along winter .
If you see a winter with heavy coke , consider carefully take away snow that settle on the branches to limit cold damage . Do this carefully , however , to invalidate break out any branches or growth .
Taxus yew plants can be susceptible to foliage hurt by fatal vine weevils and mealy bugs , although this is usually fairly minor ( 3 ) .
Uses
Horticultural Uses
These taxus yew shrub plants have multiple uses in the landscape and make fine hedges , privacy screens and even play well for topiary , andbonsai .
Many of the narrow - growing cultivars are peculiarly well suitable for hedging because they can create a dense but minute hedging if spaced about 2 feet ( 0.6 m ) apart . Some of the gold varieties even make for eye - catching accent plants .
Human Uses
All parts of yew trees are highly toxic except for the flesh of the yield that is said to be edible . The seed , however , is also highly toxic so this is a plant in all probability best enjoyed with the eyes . The plant ’s poisonous place are make by the bearing of alkaloid known as taxin . As a safeguard , gloves should be wear when forge with yew Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree in the garden .
Wildlife Uses
Birds enjoy the sweet sarcoid yew berry and deer will tip on yews if they can so carry this in judgment if they have admittance to your property .
FAQs
The toxic compound in yew known as taxin can potentially be absorbed through the skin and therefore these flora should be considered toxicant to touch on . For this reason , baseball glove should be worn when working with these plant . Protective glasses are also deserving using , especially when using a byword .
yew are not especially fast - growing but can arise by about a foot ( 0.3 m ) each yr in unspoiled conditions .
Yews are noteworthy in that they can be grown in anything from full Sunday to full shade . They will get honest , however , in full sunlight to fond tad .
Gardeners should always think carefully before planting toxic species in their garden . If you have small children in your family or keep browsing fauna , yews might not be the best plants for you .
finish
Yew pubic hair are a very utilitarian and various option for a variety of conditions and planting sites in zone 4 to 7 . Taxus yews bush are very depleted - upkeep and are in the main hardy to pests and disease . These yew evergreen shrubs are highly toxic plant , however , so they will not be suitable for kin gardens with unseasoned children or graze brute and pets .
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