Stonehenge Dark Druid® Yew

Light Needs

Full Shade to Full Sun

(Can Grow In Most Sunlight Conditions)

Mature Height

3-4 Feet

Mature Spread

3 Feet

Growing Zones

5 to 7

Taxus x media is thought to be a hybrid of two older cultivars of yew, the Taxus baccata, or English yew, and the Taxus cuspidata, or the Japanese yew. It certainly plays out well for this hybrid combination as the T x media has the dense upright form of the English yew and the cold hardiness of the Japanese yew. Introducing Stonehenge Dark Druid Yew, a small, compact yew that is hardy from Zones 5-7 and tolerates all sun or shade habitats, making it very versatile for home gardeners and urban developments alike. Have that dark shaded area under your roof overhang that nothing seems to grow in? With the proper soil and watering regimen, Stonehenge will fit the bill for this hard to grow in space. It is a slow growing shrub and won’t outgrow most spaces easily.

Native to Europe and Asia, yews have been naturalized for gardens all over the world with great success. It is hardy in the temperate regions of the United States, but does not tolerate the extreme cold or heat. It is relatively salt tolerant and makes a good choice for coastal homes along the Atlantic Ocean. One shining attribute stands out from all the rest: it has the ability to flourish in bright sun or deep shade and all conditions in between and it remains fairly compact, just growing to 48 inches tall and 36 inches wide at maturity. It is to be noted that it is not deer resistant and could sustain fatal damage under heavy deer browsing pressure so take that into advisement when locating your new plant. It probably will not survive as a woodland edge planting.

Stonehenge Dark Druid® Yew Care

Plant your new yew in well draining, fertile neutral soil with an average pH of 7.0 for best results. Either sun or shade locations are appropriate. A yearly application of a high nitrogen fertilizer, a 12-6-4, is adequate for most soils. If additional nutrients are needed, add a second feeding or top dress with up to one inch of well composted organic material for best results. It cannot be emphasized enough that the soil in your chosen location be well draining as this conifer will not tolerate soggy soils. Amend native soil with perlite, vermiculite or peat moss if it is a heavy clay or compacted soil. Water every week to ten days during dry weather. To stave off any root rot or fungal diseases, hold back any mulch from the base of the plant by about 6 inches.

Yews can withstand heavy pruning if you wish to shape them, or if you get any damaged branches from winter cold or salt. Prune back to healthy wood. Extensive pruning is not necessary as this plant remains compact throughout most of its lifetime. Mulch heavily in marginal cold winter areas to protect its roots, but remember to hold back from the main trunk by about 6 inches to reduce chances of disease.

Stonehenge Dark Druid® Yew Spacing

Space your new yews about 36 inches apart to allow for growth and air circulation. Almost all parts of the yew are poisonous, so plant this versatile shrub in a location where it is unlikely that children or pets will have access to them. Mass these shrubs out as a border, hedge or utilize as a foundation planting or specimen for your landscape for a relatively care free display.

SKU:

TAXDD