Japanese Plum Yew  (Cephalotaxus harringtonia)

The Japanese Plum Yews are great shrubs for our area. The thick needles hold their dark green color all year. The bark is rich gray-to-red brown. The growth rate is slow. They have no serious pests or diseases. They are easily transplanted and require a moist, well-drained soil. They prefer shade, but do well in sun and are quite drought tolerant once established. We have three cultivars at the arboretum.

Prostrate Japanese Plum Yew (Cephalotaxus harringtonia ‘Prostrata’) grows low and wide. It gets about 2 to 3 feet tall and spreads out for 4 to 6 feet. It has a very horizontal growth habit and looks good cascading over a wall.

Duke Gardens Plum Yew (Cephalotaxus harringtonia ‘Duke Gardens’) has limbs that point up at a 45 degree angle. It grows 2 to 3 feet tall and 3 to 4 feet wide. It originated at Duke Gardens in Durham.

 

 

Duke Gardens Plum Yew

 

 

 

Fastigate Plum Yew (Cephalotaxus harringtonia ‘Fastigiata’)

is a round columnar form. It grows 10 feet tall and 6 to 8 feet wide. The low shrub forms probably came from sports of this plant.

These shrubs are easy to grow, love our climate, and look good all year. They take pruning well and have no pests or diseases. So if you need a dark green needled shrub, this is one to consider.

Fastigate Plum Yew