Plant Details

This most prominent and distinguished form of the genus Taxus features young plants which are columnar while older plants become wider and more branched at the top. Leaves are radial, decurved, blackish green above and streaked with a narrow, slightly shining midrib beneath. Produces showy red berries. Grows to 30' tall and half as wide in many, many, many years. Nice accent plant. (Great Plant Picks) - Taxus baccata 'Fastigiata' prefers well-drained soil and is drought tolerant once established. Plant it in full sun or shade. 'Fastigiata' is a female clone, so it bears fruit. Yew bark, foliage, and fruit can be toxic, so site plants with care. Irish yew is generally pest and disease free, but it can get scale (and the resulting sooty mold) and black vine weevil. For a hedge, set plants 2 feet on center and shear as required. Like all yews (but unlike most conifers), it can be pruned back to old wood and will resprout readily.