Hybrid Yew

Hybrid yew is the cross between English and Japanese yew that combines the best landscape qualities of both parents, the refined texture and form of English yew with the cold hardiness and vigor of Japanese yew. The result is a group of cultivars that dominate the foundation, hedging, and specimen yew market. 'Hicksii' is an upright, columnar form for hedging and vertical accents. 'Densiformis' is a spreading, dense mound for foundations. 'Hatfieldii' is broadly pyramidal.

In Western Washington, hybrid yews perform well across the board, sun to shade, acidic to slightly alkaline soil, dry shade under trees, and the compacted soils of urban sites. The hybrids are the practical choice for most landscape yew applications because they are vigorous, available, and offered in a range of forms to fit any design need. Root rot in waterlogged soil remains the primary concern. All parts except the aril flesh are toxic. For a versatile, shade-tolerant, long-lived evergreen that shears into formal shapes and adapts to difficult conditions, hybrid yew is the workhorse of the yew genus.