Description
Taxus baccata, commonly known as English Yew, is the classic evergreen for smart, long-lived hedging. Supplied here at 90–110cm, these plants establish quickly and knit together to form a thick, dark-green screen that looks immaculate all year. Yew is famously versatile: it thrives in normal, clay or chalky soils and is equally happy in full sun or semi-shade, making it an excellent choice for spots where other evergreens struggle. Once settled, expect an average of 20–30cm of growth per year; with a light trim once or twice annually, you’ll maintain a beautifully crisp hedge at 1–4m, tailored to your space.
Plant 2–3 per metre (30–50cm spacing) for a fast, even fill. Yew’s fine texture and willingness to clip mean it excels for formal boundaries, topiary, and elegant garden structure, while its toughness allows it to cope with inland or exposed locations. Choose Taxus baccata for a premium hedge that delivers dense privacy, superb shape, and timeless style.
How To Plant
Choose the right pot
Pick one 2–3× wider than the rootball with drainage holes. Add a saucer if it’s on a patio, but never let the pot sit in standing water.
Prep your mix (pots)
Use quality peat‑free multi‑purpose compost blended with roughly 20–30% grit or perlite for drainage. You can mix in a small handful of slow‑release fertiliser granules following the label.
Potting steps
Cover the drainage holes with crock or mesh, add a 3–5 cm base layer of compost mix, and gently tease the outer roots. Position the plant so the top of the rootball sits level with the pot rim, backfill and firm lightly to remove air pockets (don’t bury the stem), then water thoroughly until it runs from the base.
Positioning (both)
Choose a bright spot with a few hours of sun and shelter from strong, cold winds. For pots, raise the container on feet or small blocks to keep the base off the ground and prevent waterlogging.
Watering (both)
Keep the root zone evenly moist during the first season. Check moisture 3–5 cm down and water deeply when dry. In heatwaves expect to water every 1–3 days in pots and about two to three times per week in the ground; in winter, water far less but do not allow the rootball to become bone‑dry.
Feeding (both)
In spring, apply a slow‑release fertiliser as directed. From late spring to mid‑summer, an optional liquid feed every three to four weeks helps container plants perform at their best.
Pruning & shaping (both)
Lightly trim after the main flush of new growth to keep the plant dense and tidy. Remove dead, damaged, or crossing stems whenever you see them.
Mulching (both)
Apply a 2–3 cm mulch of compost or fine bark over the root zone to reduce evaporation and suppress weeds, keeping mulch a few centimetres away from the main stem.
Planting in the ground: site & soil
Choose sun to light shade and avoid spots that stay waterlogged. Improve heavy clay with grit and organic matter; for very sandy soil, add plenty of compost to hold moisture.
Planting in the ground: dig, prep, plant
Dig a hole roughly twice as wide as the rootball and only as deep. Roughen the sides and base, and prepare backfill from topsoil and well‑rotted compost at about 70/30 without strong fertiliser at planting. Soak the potted plant for 10–15 minutes, remove it, tease outer roots, and set the top of the rootball level with the surrounding soil. Backfill and firm in layers, form a shallow watering basin, water deeply with a full can or two, and finish with a 2–3 cm mulch that does not touch the stem.
Spacing & staking (ground)
Allow at least 1–1.5 m of space from walls, fences, or other shrubs for airflow and shape. Most shrubs do not need staking; in very windy sites use a short stake set at an angle with a soft tie during the first season only.
Aftercare (first year)
Water deeply once or twice per week in dry spells, aiming at the original rootball area. Top up mulch each spring and give a light shape once vigorous new growth is visible.
Winter care (UK)
For pots, raise on feet and, in severe frost, move near a wall or wrap the container with fleece or bubble wrap. In the ground, mulch before hard frosts and avoid waterlogging.
Quick troubleshooting
Yellowing leaves usually indicate overwatering or poor drainage; improve drainage and reduce watering. Brown, crispy edges suggest underwatering or wind scorch; water more deeply and add shelter. Leggy growth means the plant needs more light; move to a brighter spot and give a light trim after the main growth flush.
