Michigan State University Extension
Ornamental Plants plus Version 2.0 - 00001435
01/01/98
Hardiness Zones: 4 to 7 Height: 25 ft Spread: 25 ft Form: irregular Type: narrow-leaved shrub Annual Growth Rate: less than 12 inches Fruit: red
Comments: Japanese Yew grows in sun or shade. The species can reach a height of 50 feet but most cultivars are smaller. The plant is dioecious, so the red fruits, are produced only by female plants. Female plants have pointed or conical flower buds and male plants have rounded flower buds. Select mostly female plants to get the fruits, but interplant a few males to ensure pollination.
Comments:
'Aurescens' - Golden-yellow foliage when grown in sun.
'Capitata' - A slow-growing plant that will reach a
height of 12 feet and a width of 6 feet.
'Columnaris' - Grows faster than 'Capitata' and is
narrower. A female.
'Dwarf Bright Gold' - Spreading habit with yellow
foliage.
'F & F Compacta' - A slow growing cultivar that is
wider than tall. The foliage becomes bronzed in
winter.
'Farmen' - Slow-growing and compact plants with dark
green foliage.
'Fasigiata' (Captain TM) - An improved 'Capitata' that
has better winter color.
'Greenwave' - A low, mounded plant with arching
branches and dark green foliage.
'Low Spreading' - Very low plant, less than 3 feet
hight when mature.
'Monloo' (Emerald Spreader TM) - Plants 30 inches tall
will spread 10 feet. A female.
'Nana' - A very slow growing plant.
'Nana Aurescens' - A low, spreading plant with yellow
foliage that resists burning.
'Nana Pyramidalis' - A slow growing plant that forms a
dense pyramid. Red fruit in autumn. Requires little
shearing to maintain its shape.
'North Coast' - A globe-shaped plant with a height of 4
feet and spread of 8 feet. Red fruit. Selected for
its winter hardiness and drought resistance.
'Thayerae' - A mounding plant reaching a height of 5
feet and a spread of 10 feet. Red fruits.
'Tvurdy' - Pyramidal plants are about 8 feet tall and 4
feet wide.
'Winter Jewel' - An upright, pyramidal plant reaching a
height of 10 feet and a spread of 8 feet. Red fruit.
References for Cultivars: Zelenka Nursery 1995, Weston Nurseries 1997, Berryhill Nursery 1995, Lake County Nursery 1997, Iseli Nursery 1997, Spring Meadow Nursery 1997, Monrovia Nursery Company 1997, Ray Wiegand's Nursery 1997, Sheridan Nurseries 1997, Studebaker Nurseries 1998.