FLASH SALES: discover new special offers every week!
Share your pictures? Hide split images
I have read and agree the terms and conditions of service.

Taxus baccata - Bowl Shape Yew

Taxus baccata
Yew, Common Yew, English Yew, European Yew

Be the first to leave a review

This item is not available in your country.

Shipping country:

Schedule delivery date,

and select date in basket

This plant carries a 24 months recovery warranty

More information

This common yew is commonly seen as a topiary, trimmed in the shape of a sphere. The yew is a noble species for this technique, highly valued for centuries and generations of landscapers. This woody plant with excellent longevity is capable of adapting to numerous growing conditions, from sun to shade, in acidic to limestone soil, provided that it is well-drained. It only fears cold winds and late frosts that can damage its foliage. Planted in the ground or in a container, this vegetative sculpture will constitute a focal point in your garden.
Flower size
1 cm
Height at maturity
10 m
Spread at maturity
4 m
Exposure
Sun, Partial shade
Hardiness
Hardy down to -29°C
Soil moisture
all types
plantfit-full

Would this plant suit my garden?

Set up your Plantfit profile →

Best planting time March, October to November
Recommended planting time February to April, September to November
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Flowering time March to April
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D

Description

The Taxus baccata is our common yew tree, well known for its dark green evergreen foliage, small orange to red fruits, and highly sought-after hard wood. Slow-growing, it is one of the top species for topiary art, of which this ball shape is a good example. Its fine and dense foliage, tolerant to pruning, allows for the creation of distinctive scenes in the garden. Planted in the ground, accompanied by other topiaries, or in a square wooden or metal container, to provide permanent decoration on a terrace or on either side of an entrance, this conifer will bring character to your environment. Easy to grow, it adapts to many living conditions. 

Very present in the oldest gardens and parks in Europe, Taxus baccata sometimes watches over us for hundreds of years. Its longevity is indeed remarkable and can reach several centuries. The species, which has become rare in the wild, is native to Europe, Asia Minor, and North Africa. In France, it is still found in the plains of Brittany, Normandy, and the Vosges, in low and medium mountains, in the south and in Corsica. Some populations also survive in the limestone massifs of Provence, on the northern slopes of the Sainte Baume and the Sainte Victoire near Aix-en-Provence. Some individuals growing in the Verdon Gorge are said to be over a thousand years old. Impressive specimens can also be admired in old gardens or cemeteries, near churches for symbolic reasons (considered as a link between heaven and earth), but also to prevent herds from consuming them. The needles, bark, and fruits are indeed toxic to humans and animals, except for birds that consume the berries and discard the seeds. The common yew is a conifer of the Taxaceae family, with only 15 to 20 species.

When shaped into a sphere, the foliage of this yew tree will be particularly highlighted. Its branchlets are covered with flattened, pointed needles, but very soft to the touch. Their color, a shiny dark green, is lighter on the underside. The leaves are small (2-3 mm (1in) x 2-3 cm (1in)) and persist on the plant for several years before renewing. It is a dioecious species: individuals bear either male or female flowers. Thus, the red berries appear after discreet flowering (but appreciated by bees, as the species is nectar-producing) only on female plants. Be careful, while the aril (the brightly colored fleshy part) is not toxic, the seeds are highly toxic!

If this specimen is grown in a container, regular watering will be necessary as it will not have access to soil moisture reserves. Its maintenance requires two annual prunings, in April and on the regrowth in September. It is ideal to use sharp shears rather than hedge trimmers. The cuts will be cleaner, without the risk of damaging the foliage, and above all, it is easier to take one's time to perfect the work!

This yew topiary will be most valuable in a highly structured garden, with geometric shapes. French gardens immediately come to mind, but a contemporary space will also benefit from its presence, as well as Mediterranean gardens. In the latter, there will be plenty of choices for complementary plants to create graphic scenes by playing with shapes, colors, and even scents. The Pittosporum tobira 'Nanum' with its slow growth in a natural cushion shape and its beautiful bright green leaves or the woody germander with its aromatic grayish foliage will be excellent neighbors in a flowerbed.

In small spaces that do not allow for entire beds of topiaries, this yew tree can be planted alongside plants with complementary appearances. For example, a beautiful golden creeping barberry will bring light and a graceful form that will create surprise at the base of this dark green ball. A black elderberry 'Black Tower' will play the same role with a welcome contrast of form and color.

Plant habit

Height at maturity 10 m
Spread at maturity 4 m
Habit ball, spherical
Growth rate slow

Flowering

Flower colour green
Flowering time March to April
Flower size 1 cm
Bee-friendly Attracts pollinators
Fruit colour red

Foliage

Foliage persistence Evergreen
Foliage colour dark green

Safety measures

Potential risks Plant may be toxic if swallowed

Botanical data

Genus

Taxus

Species

baccata

Family

Taxaceae

Other common names

Yew, Common Yew, English Yew, European Yew

Origin

Cultivar or hybrid

Product reference748961

Other Taxus - Yew

2
From 4,90 € 8/9 cm pot

Available in 2 sizes

4
From 24,50 € 4L/5L pot

Available in 2 sizes

421
From 3,70 € 8/9 cm pot

Available in 4 sizes

13
From 16,50 € 2L/3L pot
96
From 4,90 € 8/9 cm pot

Available in 2 sizes

Available to order
From 4,70 € 8/9 cm pot
Out of stock
From 24,50 € 2L/3L pot
Out of stock
From 19,50 € 2L/3L pot
Out of stock
From 24,50 € 2L/3L pot
15
From 24,50 € 2L/3L pot

Planting and care

The common Yew, even in ball form, is not demanding: it thrives in full sun or partial shade and even tolerates shade. It can be planted in ordinary soil, slightly chalky or acidic, preferably moist but above all well-drained. It is best to plant it in autumn or spring, watering well during planting. Monitor and water during the first two years to ensure the bush establishes well, and you can also mulch the soil to maintain some moisture in summer. Afterwards, only water during dry periods, as the Yew is quite tolerant once well rooted.

Planting period

Best planting time March, October to November
Recommended planting time February to April, September to November

Intended location

Type of use Free-standing, Container
Hardiness Hardy down to -29°C (USDA zone 5) Show map
Ease of cultivation Beginner
Exposure Sun, Partial shade
Soil pH Any
Soil type Clayey (heavy), Clayey-chalky (heavy and alkaline), Silty-loamy (rich and light), Stony (poor and well-drained)
Soil moisture all types, ordinaire, bien préparé

Care

Pruning instructions Pruning should be done twice a year, in April and during regrowth in August-September, to maintain the shape of this topiary bush. Regular pruning prevents the need to remove too much length at once and is easier to perform as the overall shape is still clearly visible when the shoots are short. This also helps to control the size of the bush by encouraging buds at the base to develop. Use a sharp shear to make clean cuts. Make sure to properly dispose of all pruning waste to avoid any risk (the foliage is highly toxic!).
Pruning Pruning recommended twice a year
Pruning time April, August to September
Soil moisture all types
Disease resistance Good
Overwinter Can be left in the ground

This item has not been reviewed yet - be the first to leave a review about it.

Leave a review →

Conifers

10
22,50 € 2L/3L pot

Available in 2 sizes

83
From 4,90 € 8/9 cm pot

Available in 2 sizes

6
32,50 € 2L/3L pot
1
69,00 € 4L/5L pot
9
From 109,00 € 7.5L/10L pot

Available in 2 sizes

13
From 16,50 € 2L/3L pot

Available in 2 sizes

7
9,90 € 2L/3L pot

Haven't found what you were looking for?

We only deliver seed and bulb products to your country. If you add other products to your basket, they cannot be shipped.