Create Your Garden

Taxus canadensis (American Yew)

Canada Yew, American Yew, Canadian Yew, Ground Hemlock

Taxus canadensis, Canada Yew, American Yew, Canadian Yew, Ground Hemlock, Evergreen Shrub, Evergreen Tree, Dwarf Conifer

A true American native, Taxus canadensis (American Yew) is an open, sprawling evergreen shrub with spreading and ascending branches clothed with flat, narrow, dark green needles with pale green undersides. The foliage becomes reddish-brown in winter. In summer, a profusion of cup-shaped, bright red, berry-like cones are produced on female plants. Slow-growing, this Yew is perfect to stabilize soils along streams, ponds, and bogs or in mass plantings as a ground cover.

  • Grows up to 3-5 ft. tall (90-150 cm) and 6-8 ft. wide (180-240 cm).
  • A partial shade lover, this plant is easily grown in humusy, moist, well-drained soils. Tolerates full shade. Needs protection from winter sun and wind, heat, or drought.
  • Propagate by stem cuttings in fall or winter.
  • Most parts, especially the seeds, are highly toxic by ingestion. The taxine alkaloids contained in yew berries, needles, or bark are poisonous.
  • Toxic to dogs, toxic to cats, toxic to horses, toxic to humans.
  • Native to central and eastern America

Requirements

Hardiness 3 - 7
Plant Type Conifers, Shrubs
Plant Family Taxaceae
Genus Taxus
Exposure Partial Sun, Shade
Season of Interest Spring (Early, Mid, Late)
Summer (Early, Mid, Late)
Fall
Winter
Height 3' - 5'
(90cm - 150cm)
Spread 6' - 8'
(180cm - 240cm)
Spacing 84" - 96"
(210cm - 240cm)
Maintenance Low
Water Needs Average
Soil Type Clay, Loam
Soil pH Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage Moist but Well-Drained
Characteristics Showy, Evergreen, Fruit & Berries
Native Plants Connecticut, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Midwest, Minnesota, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Northeast, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Southeast, Tennessee, United States, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, Wisconsin
Garden Uses Banks And Slopes
Garden Styles Informal and Cottage, Prairie and Meadow
How Many Plants
Do I Need?
Learn Now
Explore Great Plant Combination Ideas
Taxus
Not sure which Taxus to pick?
Compare Now

Alternative Plants to Consider

Taxus baccata 'Standishii', English Yew 'Standishii', Common Yew 'Standishii', Evergreen Shrub, Evergreen Tree
Taxus baccata 'Repandens', English Yew 'Repandens', Common Yew 'Repandens', Evergreen Shrub, Evergreen Tree
Taxus baccata 'Repens Aurea', English Yew 'Repens Aurea', Common Yew 'Repens Aurea', Taxus baccata 'Repandens Aurea', Evergreen Shrub, Evergreen Tree, Golden Conifer
Taxus baccata 'David', English Yew 'David', Common Yew 'David', Evergreen Shrub, Evergreen Tree, Golden Conifer, Yellow Conifer
Taxus baccata 'Fastigiata',English Yew 'Fastigiata', Common Yew 'Fastigiata', Irish Yew 'Fastigiata', Florence Court Yew 'Fastigiata', Taxus baccata 'Hibernica', Blue John 'Fastigiata',  Court Yew 'Fastigiata', Evergreen Shrub, Evergreen Tree
Taxus baccata 'Fastigiata Aurea',Irish Yew 'Fastigiata Aurea', Florence Court Yew 'Fastigiata Aurea', Blue John 'Fastigiata Aurea',  Court Yew 'Fastigiata Aurea', Golden Irish Yew', Evergreen Shrub, Evergreen Tree
While every effort has been made to describe these plants accurately, please keep in mind that height, bloom time, and color may differ in various climates. The description of these plants has been written based on numerous outside resources.
Buy Plants

Requirements

Hardiness 3 - 7
Plant Type Conifers, Shrubs
Plant Family Taxaceae
Genus Taxus
Exposure Partial Sun, Shade
Season of Interest Spring (Early, Mid, Late)
Summer (Early, Mid, Late)
Fall
Winter
Height 3' - 5'
(90cm - 150cm)
Spread 6' - 8'
(180cm - 240cm)
Spacing 84" - 96"
(210cm - 240cm)
Maintenance Low
Water Needs Average
Soil Type Clay, Loam
Soil pH Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage Moist but Well-Drained
Characteristics Showy, Evergreen, Fruit & Berries
Native Plants Connecticut, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Midwest, Minnesota, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Northeast, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Southeast, Tennessee, United States, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, Wisconsin
Garden Uses Banks And Slopes
Garden Styles Informal and Cottage, Prairie and Meadow
How Many Plants
Do I Need?
Learn Now
Explore Great Plant Combination Ideas
Taxus
Not sure which Taxus to pick?
Compare Now

Gardening Ideas

Plant Calculator

How many Taxus canadensis (American Yew) do I need for my garden?

Input your garden space dimensions

Your Shopping List

Plant Quantity
Taxus canadensis (American Yew) N/A Buy Plants

Please Login to Proceed

You Have Reached The Free Limit, Please Subscribe to Proceed

Subscribe to Gardenia

To create additional collections, you must be a paid member of Gardenia
  • Add as many plants as you wish
  • Create and save up to 25 garden collections
Become a Member

Plant Added Successfully

You have Reached Your Limit

To add more plants, you must be a paid member of our site Become a Member

Update Your Credit
Card Information

Cancel

Create a New Collection

Sign Up to Our Newsletter

    You have been subscribed successfully

    Join Gardenia.net

    Create a membership account to save your garden designs and to view them on any device.

    Becoming a contributing member of Gardenia is easy and can be done in just a few minutes. If you provide us with your name, email address and the payment of a modest $25 annual membership fee, you will become a full member, enabling you to design and save up to 25 of your garden design ideas.

    Join now and start creating your dream garden!

    Join Gardenia.net

    Create a membership account to save your garden designs and to view them on any device.

    Becoming a contributing member of Gardenia is easy and can be done in just a few minutes. If you provide us with your name, email address and the payment of a modest $25 annual membership fee, you will become a full member, enabling you to design and save up to 25 of your garden design ideas.

    Join now and start creating your dream garden!

    Find your Hardiness Zone

    Find your Heat Zone

    Find your Climate Zone