Taxus canadensis (American Yew)
Canada Yew, American Yew, Canadian Yew, Ground Hemlock
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 |
Alternative Plants to Consider
By Aleoks, Shutterstock
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.
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 |
