Michigan State University Extension
Ornamental Plants plus Version 3.0 - 00001435
11/12/99

Taxus cuspidata--Japanese Yew


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
(Vis. 3) 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:
'Adams' - A columnar cultivar.
'Aurescens' - Golden-yellow foliage when grown in sun.
'Bobbink' - A dense, cone-shaped dwarf.
'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 (Vis. 1).
'Greenwave' - A low, mounded plant with arching
branches and dark green foliage.
'Low Spreading' - Very low plant, less than 3 feet
height when mature.
'Monloo' (Emerald Spreader TM) - Plants 30 inches tall
will spread 10 feet. A female.
'Nana' - A very slow growing plant (Vis. 2).
'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.
'Nigra' - Dark green foliage.
'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.
'TV' - Listed by Scarff's as a dense plant with spreading
habit, plants 4 feet tall.
'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 1999, Berryhill Nursery 1999, Lake County Nursery
1999, Iseli Nursery 1999, Spring Meadow Nursery 1999,
Monrovia Nursery Company 1997, Ray Wiegand's Nursery 1999,
Sheridan Nurseries 1999, Studebaker Nurseries 1999, Bailey
Nurseries 1999, Scarff's Nursery 1999, Gee Farms 1999,
Willoway Nurseries 1999.


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