Japanese Plum Yew (Cephalotaxus harringtonia) stands out with its upright, full-bodied form and gracefully arching branches. Its dark green, finely textured needles bring structure and elegance to gardens needing a dependable, shade-tolerant evergreen. This conifer tolerates summer heat and humidity better than many other yews, making it a top choice for southern climates. Expect this handsome plant to reach about 6 to 10 feet in height and breadth, fitting nicely as an accent, hedge, or privacy screen. Its low-maintenance nature and versatile appearance easily solve landscape challenges where other yews might struggle.
Carrying a reputation for toughness, Japanese Plum Yew thrives on well-drained soils yet adapts to clay and sandy spots. Its needle-like foliage remains consistently attractive, providing year-round interest without fuss. Native to parts of Asia, Japanese Plum Yew can handle sun or shade but truly shines in partial to full shade, making it an ideal pick for the understory. Deer typically bypass the bitter-tasting foliage, adding extra protection for your garden. If you’re aiming for a reliable evergreen to create a calm green backdrop, shape a neat hedge, or fill mass plantings, Japanese Plum Yew will capably deliver.
Japanese Plum Yew Care
Japanese Plum Yew grows best in evenly moist, well-drained soils; however, it tolerates drier ground once established. Water young shrubs regularly during the first season to develop a strong root network, then scale back as necessary. A layer of mulch helps soil retain moisture and guards against temperature fluctuations. Balanced fertilizer in spring encourages robust growth, while average garden soil pH suits this flexible yew. Select a planting site with partial to deeper shade in regions with hot summers, although full sun is acceptable in cooler areas.
If you wish to maintain a particular size or shape, prune your Japanese Plum Yew in early spring. Shear lightly or pinch back new growth to keep a tidier silhouette, or remove stray or damaged branches by thinning. Extra pinching or a light trim during the growing season may help preserve a uniform look. If grown in containers, monitor soil moisture and fertility more closely, and move the pot to a protected area in the winter.
Japanese Plum Yew Spacing
Allow roughly 5-6 feet between shrubs if you’d like a dense hedge—slightly more space if using this evergreen as a border accent or screen. In containers, choose a pot about two inches wider than the current root ball to leave ample room for root growth without risking waterlogged soil.
- SKU:
- 1231010098-pc
Container Sizes
Please Note: The pictures below are to give a general representation of the different container sizes. The actual size/ages of plants are estimates and will vary based on type of plant, time of year, last pruning & many other factors.

Quart Pot
Also Known As:
Quart
Plant Age:
~ 6 months - 1 year
Plant Size:
~ 4"-8"
Pot Size:
~ 4.75"H x 4.5"W
Volume:
1.50 quarts

2.5 Quart
Also Known As:
2.5 Quart Pot
Plant Age:
~ 1 - 2 years old
Plant Size:
~ 8"-12"
Pot Size:
~ 6.5"H x 6.5"W
Volume:
2.20-2.30 quarts

#1 Pot
Also Known As:
#1 Container
1 Gallon
Plant Age:
~ 1 - 2 years old
Plant Size:
~ 10"-14"
Pot Size:
~ 7"H x 7.75"W
Volume:
2.26-3.73 quarts

#2 Pot
Also Known As:
#2 Container
2 Gallon
Plant Age:
~ 1.5 - 3 years old
Plant Size:
~ 12"-18"
Pot Size:
~ 9.5"H x 9.5"W
Volume:
1.19-1.76 gallons

#3 Pot
Also Known As:
#3 Container
3 Gallon
Plant Age:
~ 2 - 4 years old
Plant Size:
~ 12"-30"
Pot Size:
~9.5"H x 11"W
Volume:
2.32-2.76 gallons

#5 Pot
Also Known As:
#5 Container
5 Gallon
Plant Age:
~3-4 years old
Plant Size:
~ 20" - 60"
Pot Size:
~11" H x 10 1/2” W
Volume:
3.5 - 4 gallons

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Pre-Ordered Plants
Pre-ordered plants are scheduled to ship in Spring 2025. We carefully plan our shipping dates based on your USDA Plant Hardiness Zone to ensure optimal planting conditions upon arrival. Want it sooner/later? Reach out, and we'll try our best to accommodate.
Estimated Spring Shipping Schedule
Estimated ship week for pre-ordered plants will ship based on growing zones as shown below.
Growing Zone | Estimated Ship Week |
---|---|
Zone 10 | March 24th |
Zone 9 | March 31st |
Zone 8 | April 7th |
Zone 7 | April 14th |
Zone 6b | April 21st |
Zone 6a | April 28th |
Zone 5b | May 5th |
Zone 5a | May 12th |
Zone 4 | May 19th |
Zone 3 | May 26th |
Note: These are only estimated ship dates. Plants may ship out later depending on weather & growing conditions of the plant.
Note: Only plants indicated as pre-order will ship as shown above. All other plants and hard goods will ship as normal.
Plants Shipping Now
Plants that are currently in stock typically ship within 2-7 business days after your order is placed.