Upright Japanese Plum Yew

DATE: 04/11/05

CONTACT: Clemson Extension Home & Garden Information Center, 1-888-656-9988

WRITER: Rebecca Slater, Horticulture Information Specialist

PLANT PROFILE: CEPHALOTAXUS HARRINGTONIA ‘FASTIGIATA’ (UPRIGHT JAPANESE PLUM YEW)

CLEMSON -- With its exceptionally dark green, shiny needles and its beautiful, upright shape, Cephalotaxus harringtonia ‘Fastigiata’, or Upright Japanese plum yew, is one striking conifer.

Unlike most true yews (Taxus spp.), which grow beautifully up north but suffer in our climate, the plum yew is extremely heat tolerant. It is also generally untouched by deer (unlike true yews!). Plum yew thrives in morning sun or partial shade and will even take full sun once established. It will grow well in all areas of South Carolina.

Plum yew prefers a moist, well-drained soil, but has some drought tolerance once established. A two to three inch layer of mulch will help keep the soil moist as well as cut down on weeds— just be sure to keep it at least an inch away from the base of the plant. If its needs are met, plum yew is rarely bothered by insects or diseases.

This slow grower will eventually make a large shrub about eight to 10 feet tall and six to eight feet wide and requires little pruning to maintain its shape. Upright Japanese plum yew puts on about six inches of growth per year once it is established, so it is best to buy a large plant if you are an impatient gardener.

The cultivar name ‘Fastigiata’ refers to the erect structure of the branches, and is often given to plants with an upright form. Its symmetrical shape lends itself to formal groupings, but it also makes a great foundation shrub or specimen.

Upright Japanese plum yew is a wonderful plant for shade gardeners. The list of shade-tolerant conifers is extremely short, and this plant adds a lot of structure and color to shady areas all year. It looks great growing out of a sea of groundcover like golden creeping jenny (Lysimachia nummularia ‘Aurea’) or creeping phlox (Phlox stolonifera), but also combines well with taller plants like our native columbine (Aquilegia canadensis), large-leaved hostas, and other shade-loving trees and shrubs like Japanese maples (Acer palmatum) and azaleas (Rhododendron spp.).

For answers to your gardening, pest and food safety questions, visit the Clemson Extension Home & Garden Information Center website at http://hgic.clemson.edu or call us toll-free at 1-888-656-9988.

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