Among all types of yews, the most popular are berry (or European), Canadian, short-leaved and Far Eastern (spiky). Despite relatively slow growth, these plants are considered ideal crops to create, as they have densely planted branches with dense pubescence of a dark green color that does not lose color saturation even in winter.
Tees ( Taxus) belongs to the Yew family (Tahasea). The genus includes about 8 related species growing in the undergrowth of the temperate warm and subtropical zones of the Northern Hemisphere. Description of yew trees different types so similar that some botanists believe that they are all just geographical varieties of one main species - Taxus baccata.
On this page, you will learn what different types of yews look like and get tips on growing these plants in your backyard.
What yews look like and the use of trees in landscape design (with photo)
Yews are evergreen densely branched trees or shrubs 5-20 m high with thick trunks covered with reddish-brown bark and a dense rounded crown. The branches of yews are flexible and resilient, the branches are green and elastic. yew dark green, linear-needle, 1-3 cm long, dense, glossy. On vertical shoots, the needles are located densely and spirally, on lateral shoots - two-row-comb. There are no resin channels in the leaves, and this significantly distinguishes yews from others. coniferous plants.
All types of yews are dioecious; in plants, male and female individuals exist separately, but cases of the appearance of monoecious plants have been noted. Pollen on male plants enclosed in microstrobiles located in the axils of the leaves at the ends of the shoots, they are spherical, solitary and collected in heads of 6-14 pieces. Nondescript single female "flowers" are hidden by tiny leafy scales.
As can be seen in the photo, the seeds of the yew plant are ovoid, slightly ribbed, enclosed in a fleshy scarlet-red bell-shaped shell:
Yews are slow growing but long-lived plants. Old specimens can be up to 4,000 years old. Wood ("mahogany") is the most valuable material for furniture production. The beauty of the wood, combined with the ease of processing, led to the massive destruction of the yew. Natural plantings of this unique plant are reserved. All parts of the yew, especially the leaves and young shoots, are poisonous because they contain the alkaloid taxine.
The unpretentiousness, unusual appearance and rather high cold tolerance of yews make them a very valuable design element not only in southern, but also in northern gardens.
Without yews, it is impossible to imagine any garden made in a regular style.
It would not be an exaggeration to say that it is boxwoods and yews in landscape design largely determine the style of "formal" gardens.
When used in compositions of northern gardens, yews bring a touch of southern flavor and play the role of exotic aliens. Their most effective layout is in groups with rhododendrons and conifers of a different type of foliage. Despite the fact that yew is one of best plants, intended for a curly haircut, in regions with frosty winters they are unsuitable for this. Even with an air-dry shelter, the intricately cut figures, if they do not freeze slightly, then partially rot.
See how yews are used in landscape design in these photos:
Yew berry (common): photo and description of varieties
Yew berry ( taxus baccata) sometimes called common or European yew.
The type species of the genus, growing in the undergrowth of mixed mountain forests of Western Europe. In nature, it is very rare, but has a wide range, occurring in separate foci in Western Ukraine and Belarus, in the southern Crimea and the Caucasus, in the mountains of Algeria, Asia Minor and Syria.
AT natural conditions- a tree 12-20 m high with an uneven rounded shape of the crown. In culture - the most common species, which has numerous varieties. different type crown growth and shape. Many of them, due to their weak tolerance to the sun, burn significantly in the spring, especially in the first years after planting.
Taxus baccata David.
Mini variety of yew berry. Narrow columnar shape. The needles are small, green, turning yellow after the growing season. Annual increments 3-4 cm. Completely frost-resistant. Light shading is desirable.
Taxus baccata Elegantissima.
dwarf variety yew berry. Vase shape. The needles are green, turning yellow after the growing season. Annual increments of this variety of yew are within 10-15 cm. Completely frost-resistant. Light shading is desirable.
Taxus baccata Fastigiata Micro.
Micro-variety of yew berry. Very narrow columnar shape.
Pay attention to the photo - the needles of this variety of berry yew are small, green:
Annual growths 1-3 cm, Fully frost-resistant. Light shading is desirable.
Taxus baccata Goldener Zwerg.
Mini variety of yew berry. Narrow columnar shape. The needles are small, green, turning yellow after the growing season. Annual gains 3-4 cm, Fully frost-resistant.
Taxus baccata Summergold.
Dwarf variety of yew berry. Creeping form, Green needles, growths turn yellow after vegetation, Annual growths within 15 cm. When describing this variety of berry yew, it is worth noting its increased frost resistance. Light shading is desirable. All other species and their garden cultivars were not found wide application in the gardens of the northern temperate zone of Russia.
These photos show the varieties of yew berry described above:
Types of yew: short-leaved, Canadian and pointed (with photo)
taxus brevifolia — Short-leaved yew
It grows in western North America. In the south it grows in the mountains at an altitude of 1500-2500 m, in the north - along the banks of rivers, in the lakeside lowlands and on low mountain slopes.
Slow-growing, often multi-stemmed tree 5-15 m high with a dense, wide-pin-shaped crown. Young branches are slightly drooping. In the northern part of the range, and under adverse conditions, it takes the form of a creeping shrub. The seed coat is intensely red.
Taxus canadensis - Canadian yew.
It grows in the undergrowth of coniferous forests on mountain slopes in the East of North America. Low-stemming or wide-spreading shrub with a loose crown, rarely rising above 1 m, but reaching a width of 3-4 m.
As shown in the photo, the needles of this type of yew acquire a reddish-brown color for the winter:
Compared with other species of the genus, it is less decorative, but it is distinguished by exceptional frost resistance. Cultivars of this species are very valuable for the gardens of the northern regions.
Taxus cuspidata - Pointed yew, or Far Eastern yew.
A close relative of the yew berry, found in relic coniferous-deciduous forests of the Far East.
Tree or large shrub, reaching a height of 15-20 m, with a dense spreading crown. In places with unfavorable conditions for growth, it acquires creeping form. The bark is smooth red-brown. The wood is light red, which is why it is called " pink tree". The needles have a small pointed spike at the end, which gave the species its name.
These photos show the types of yew, the description of which you have read above:
Planting and caring for evergreen yews in the open field
Evergreen yews are shade tolerant plants. In regions with mild winters they thrive in open sunny places, but in more severe climates they suffer from cold winter winds, so a sheltered landing site is preferable for them.
For successful landing and caring for yews in the open field, it is necessary to provide the plants with fertile loamy soils. On loose, poor sandy loamy soils, they grow very slowly, but they winter better due to the rapid thawing of the soil in spring. When planting and caring for young yews, it is advisable to add a small amount of coniferous forest land to the soil, since it contains soil fungi that organize connections with yew roots and provide it with additional nutrition with nitrogen and microelements.
Adult specimens do not require top dressing. Moreover, top dressing with concentrated mineral or fresh organic fertilizers can lead to the death of mycorrhiza and growth retardation until the resumption of connections between the roots and soil fungi.
Yew transplantation is easily tolerated, but it should be carried out during the period active growth young shoots should not be. The best time to transplant is spring or early summer. For autumn planting only specimens with a dense root ball or grown in containers are suitable. Deepening of the root neck is possible, but undesirable. For transplanting large specimens, you need preliminary preparation root ball 6-12 months before the proposed transplant.
When growing yews, do not forget that they are moisture-loving only during the period of active growth. Mature, well developed plants are drought tolerant. Presence of loved ones ground water destructive for them.
The frost resistance of yews in the conditions of the North-West and Central Russia depends on the planting site and variety. Short-term frost down to -30 ... -35 ° C they easily tolerate even in open places.
Plants planted on the leeward side of buildings or protected from the cold wind by other plants in group plantings successfully overwinter. In practice, trees growing in open areas always freeze slightly, while those growing in the shade overwinter without shelter. Young plants are successfully preserved under snow cover. Varieties with a free crown shape are preferable to densely columnar and pyramidal ones, since the latter always freeze over the tops, and therefore they do not correspond to the characteristics of the variety. Among the natural forms, the most frost-resistant are Taxus cuspidata - spiky yew and Taxus canadensis - Canadian yew.
When caring for yews during cultivation, to prevent freezing of all forms, it is recommended to mulch and cover the root system area with earth and fallen leaves. For plants planted in open, windy places, an air-dry shelter is desirable. The best option is the installation of a frame made of a dense mesh, on top of which a coniferous spruce branch is laid, and in very coldy they also fix the warming fabric and throw snow. They remove the winter shelter gradually and be sure to shade the plants to avoid sunburn. For uniform awakening, abundant watering is necessary. Watering is especially important when caring for yews for weakened and frostbitten specimens.
Reproduction of yew seeds and cuttings
seed reproduction. Yew seeds lose their germination very quickly - after a year of storage in heat, they are not suitable for germination. Seeds should be collected in the fall, as soon as the fleshy integument of the fruit turns red. To improve germination, they must be removed from the fruit and washed. Seed covers are very hard, and germination is difficult without breaking them. for yews in the best possible way scarification is a chemical method in which dry seeds are placed in sulfuric acid for 30 minutes, after which they are gently washed. After such treatment, the seeds are sown in open ground, where they germinate throughout the year.
A more effective method is a combination of scarification and cold stratification. After acid treatment and washing, the seeds are mixed with large, clean, slightly damp sand, sawdust or sphagnum moss, placed in plastic bags and stored for 4-6 months at a temperature of +4 ... +5 ° C.
In the spring, the seeds are washed again and sown in boxes or bowls. In the light at a temperature of + 18 ... + 23 ° C, crops germinate. Seedlings are protected from direct sunlight and moderately watered. Too dense shoots dive. Seedlings develop very slowly, but the transplant is easily tolerated. When heat comes, they are taken out into the garden, hardened, and then planted in a ridge for growing.
One of the fastest growing yews. It occupies an intermediate position between the yew berry and spiky. Growth is more powerful than that of the yew berry. Shrub of broad columnar form, reaching 5m in height and 3m in diameter. Annual growth is 15 cm high, 10 cm wide. The crown at the top of the plant is wider than at the base. The branches are straight, in the upper part of the plant move apart. The needles on straight shoots are radial, on lateral shoots they are distinctly two-row, 25-30 mm long and 3 mm wide, shiny, dark green above, with a distinct central vein, light green below. The root system is dense, powerful, allowing it to adapt to any conditions. The yew is especially beautiful in decorating the site with itself in the fall - bright, red berries look very impressive on it at this time. Yew is the only coniferous plant without resin, which means it is odorless. Instead of the usual cones for coniferous plants, it forms drupe berries. Yew is a dioecious plant. That is, it has female and male forms. Numerous bright red berries are formed on female plants, which stay on twigs until late autumn.
Prefers fertile moist calcareous soils, does not take out acidic soils. Can grow on clay soils. Drainage is desirable, as the plant does not tolerate excess moisture. Yew is planted in both sunny and shady places. It grows even where other plants do not take root due to lack of light. The most shade tolerant of all conifers plant. At the same time, it can grow in open places. Yews grown in sufficient light give more growth, but are less protected from influence low temperatures. All yews are poisonous. Bark, wood, needles, seeds contain a poisonous alkaloid. People cutting yew often complain of headaches and dizziness - this is how they affect the body. volatiles secreted by this plant. Keep this in mind if there are small children in the yard. And than older tree the more toxic its poison. Plants planted in protected areas after severe frosty winters better retain their appearance (needle color, give abundant fruiting) than plants in open areas. All this speaks in favor of growing yew in places protected from the wind. Mature plants are more winter hardy. Yews become very fragile in winter and break easily from snow, so for the winter they are tied with a rope in one bundle to prevent snow from accumulating on individual branches.
Yew tolerates pruning and shearing, so it is often used to form borders, green hedges, and figures. It is considered one of the best plants for creating topiary compositions. Due to slow growth, it retains its shape for a long time. Yews are also used as a backdrop for rock gardens. Thuja western, Japanese quince, juniper look spectacular with yew. It also looks good as a solitaire.
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Yew is a coniferous tree or shrub with slow growth and dense branching. The bark is thin reddish-brown, exfoliating in plates. Usually dioecious. The leaves are linear, flat, leathery, sitting on short petioles, the bend of which gives them a two-row arrangement on horizontal shoots, on sticking up they are arranged spirally. Male cones are round, solitary, sitting in leaf axils with bottom side escape. Women's generative organs located in the same way. The seed is surrounded by a fleshy juicy red appendage - aryllus (roofing, seedling) in the form of a glass 5-8 mm in diameter. Seeds ripen in the current season.
All parts of the yew coniferous tree, except for the aryllus, are poisonous.
Wild forms of yew berry and spiky winter well in middle lane. The latter is considered more winter-hardy than berry, but there is no clear evidence for this. Varietal forms may have different winter hardiness, preferably low varieties that winter under the snow.
The oversnow part can burn in the spring in the sun. They can also be damaged by strong prolonged frosts in snowless winters. When growing high grade pyramidal yews, it should be taken into account that the crown often becomes flattened (T. media ‘Hatfieldii’) and decorative qualities are lost.
Plants are shade-tolerant, preferring fertile, well-cultivated garden soil and regular watering in drought.
Yew Properties and Applications
Yew price dark needles that do not change color for the winter, beautiful "fruits". It goes well with various conifers and hardwoods. Compact densely branched varieties easily tolerate a haircut, which allows you to give them a smooth geometric shape. It is possible to use winter-hardy varieties for sheared hedges.
Yew berry has always been valued as an ornamental and building material- over the centuries, it was almost completely exterminated because of its "eternal" wood. One of the important properties of yew is its bactericidal action. Houses that at least partially used yew protected their inhabitants from disease-causing infections.
Types of yew and his photo
The genus of evergreen coniferous trees and shrubs of this family includes about eight species of yew. The most common of them are Canadian, pointed, medium and berry. Interspecific hybrids are known. In the middle lane, 4 species are grown (one of hybrid origin). Varieties of different types of yew are often difficult to distinguish.
All types of yew are widespread in the Northern Hemisphere; the birthplace of three of them is the USA and neighboring areas of Canada. Yews are also found in Europe and East Asia.
Canadian yew
Canadian yew (Taxus canadensis) is low bush, growing in the conditions of Moscow for 20 years up to 1.5 m in height and 2.7 m in width.
The branches are usually spread out to the sides, raised. The leaves are short, 1.3-2 cm long and 1.5-2 mm wide, narrowed into a short pointed tip, with very short petioles, dark, olive above. Are located two-row in one plane.
Grows in the northern United States and Canada. Rarely grown, although cultivated since 1933.
It is considered the most winter-hardy. Varieties are few and rare on sale.
Yew pointed
The spiky yew (Taxus cuspidata) in good conditions can grow as a tree up to 20 m tall, in the middle lane in 20 years it reaches about 3 m in height with a crown diameter of 2.6 m, often grows bushy. Skeletal branches prostrate or raised.
The leaves are 1.5-2 cm long and 2-3 mm wide, with a clear midrib, dark green, sharply narrowed at the apex, arranged in two rows, forming a V-shaped “parting”. Found on Far East, Japan, Korea, China. In culture since 1854. A beautiful and fairly winter-hardy plant.
Varieties of yew pointed and their photos
About 20 varieties of yew spiky are known, some of them are noted for sale in our country.
Variety of yew spiky ‘Capitata Aurea’. Has one or more trunks. The crown is pyramidal. Branches obliquely ascending. Young leaves with a yellow border.
Variety of yew spiky ‘Dwarf Bright Gold’. Semi-dwarf. Grows up to 1.2 m tall, grows slowly. The crown is dense, roundly flattened, irregular. Branches directed upwards. Shoots are short, dense. Young leaves with a bright yellow border, growing shoots from a distance seem completely yellow.
Yew ‘Monloo’(‘Emerald Spreader’) (1998, England). At 10 years old, height 0.8 m, width 3 m. The crown is low, cushion-shaped, very compact, even. Branches horizontally spread, dense. The leaves are dark green, densely arranged in two rows, on young shoots evenly cover the entire upper surface.
‘Nana’. Dwarf variety of yew. Grows slowly. Dimensions at age 30: 1.5 m high and 2.6 m wide. As you can see in the photo, the yew variety "Nana" has a compact crown, irregular, cushion-shaped. The branches are short, obliquely directed upwards. The leaves are shorter than the type, often protruding and indistinctly two-rowed. Fruiting. 'Compacta' - very similar (if not the same).
Yew variety ‘Rustique’(1950, Holland). Dwarf. Height 0.8 m, width 1.5 m. The crown is loose, vase-shaped, irregular. Branches obliquely ascending. The needles are sparse, up to 3.5 cm long and 3 mm wide, slightly sickle-shaped. Often used for bonsai.
Variety ‘Stricta’. Female clone. The crown is columnar. Apparently, lower than the similar variety of yew berry.
Tees medium
The middle yew (Taxus x media, T. baccata x T. cuspidata) is a garden hybrid of the berry and pointed yew, obtained around 1900 in the USA (T. D. Hatfield, Hunnewell Pinetum, Wellesley, Massachusetts). It has intermediate features: kidney scales are obtuse, with a weak keel, leaves with a clear midrib, but located in two rows and often in the same plane. It is a collection of varieties with different winter hardiness, which form the basis of the modern range of yews.
Medium yew varieties: descriptions and photos
There are about 40 varieties of medium yew. On sale are:
Middle yew variety ‘Hatfieldii’(until 1923, USA). Medium height. Height up to 4 m with a width of 3 m. The crown is wide-pyramidal, dense. The branches are vertical, the needles are radial and two-row.
Variety ‘Hicksii’(about 1900, USA). Male and female clones. It grows up to 5 m in height with a width of 3 m, but in the middle lane it is not very winter-hardy and freezes over. The crown is neat, columnar, expanding upwards. The leaves on the vertical shoots are arranged radially, on the lateral shoots in two rows, 2.5-3 cm long and 3 mm wide, dark.
Yew variety ‘Hillii’(1914, USA). Female clone. It reaches a height of 4 m with a width of about 3 m. The crown is oval in youth, broadly columnar with age. Skeletal branches are vertical, lateral short. A female fertile clone. Leaves 2-2.2 cm long and 2.5 mm wide.
Variety ‘Sentinalis’(USA, 1947). Low shrub. It grows up to 3 m high and about 0.7 m wide. The crown is narrow pyramidal. This is one of 30 pyramidal varieties received in the USA (John Vermeulen and Sons Nursery, Neshanic Station, New Jersey) in 1933-1952. They differ somewhat in the shape of the crown and the color of the needles. Among them are 'Flushing' (1952), 'Pilaris' (1947), 'Pyramidalis' (1946), 'Robusta' (1948), 'Stricta' (1946), 'Vermeulen' (1947), 'Viridis' (1948) .
Medium yew variety ‘Taunton’('Tauntonii'). Dwarf. The height is about 1 m with a width of 1.5 m. The crown is round, flattened, rather dense. Branches outstretched and raised. The needles are bright green, two-row. Fruiting. It is considered very winter hardy.
Description of yew berry and photo
European yew (Taxus baccata) is a tree that usually grows as a shrub in cultivation. It grows slowly, reaching a height of 2 m in 20 years. Skeletal branches are horizontal or obliquely ascending. The crown is ovoid, spreading, multi-topped (in a tree) or cup-shaped (in shrubs).
The description of the yew berry is similar to the description of the middle yew. Young shoots are bare, ribbed, green.
Unlike other species, kidney scales are blunt and without keels. The leaves are straight or somewhat sickle-shaped, 2-3.5 cm long and 2-2.5 mm wide, with a distinct midrib and tucked edges, gradually narrowing to a sharp apex, which may even be with a spine. They stay on the branch for 5-6 years. Found in Western Europe, in the Caucasus, Asia Minor, North Africa in mixed and deciduous forests. In culture for a very long time.
Less winter-hardy than spiky or Canadian yew, it can freeze slightly in severe winters. Winter hardiness of varieties may be unsatisfactory.
Varieties of yew berry tree: photos and descriptions
In total, there are at least 150 varieties of yew berry. Cultivated in botanical gardens and arboretums, also varieties of yew berry are found on sale.
Grade ‘Adpressa’(1838, England). Female clone. shrub or small tree, reaching a maximum height of 3 m. At 12 years old, height 0.5 m (Moscow). The crown is dense, rounded, flattened. The branches are raised. Twigs are short, crowded. Needles less than 1 cm long, 2-4 mm wide, dark. Winter hardiness is good.
Yew variety ‘Adpressa Aurea’(‘Adpressa Variegata’) (until 1885, England). Lower than 'Adpressa'. Female or male clone (according to various sources). Declared dimensions at 10 years: 60 cm high and 70 cm wide. The crown is almost round, dense, expands in breadth with age. The leaves are short, 0.6-1.2 cm long, with yellow edges when blooming. The color is brighter in the sun. A female fertile clone. It cuts well.
Yew variety ‘Amersfoort’(1939, Holland). Bush medium size. It grows slowly, at 10 years old, height 0.6 m. Maximum height - 1.5 (2) m. The crown is oval, loose, irregular. Branching is irregular. The branches are strong, obliquely ascending and vertical. The leaves are dark, oval, up to 1 cm long and about 0.5 cm wide, rounded, spirally arranged. They are characteristically concave below, giving this variety a recognizable "curly" appearance. Perhaps, in fact, it is a variety of spiky yew.
Yew variety ‘Cristata’. Dwarf. The crown is dense irregular shape. The branches are directed randomly and somewhat twisted. The needles are narrow, pointed, blue-green, very thick and also twisted. Grows slowly.
Yew ‘Dovastoniana’(‘Pendula’) (circa 1777, England). Wide cupped shrub or tree. At 12 years old - 0.6 m tall, freezes heavily (Moscow). Skeletal branches, horizontally spread with long drooping branches. The leaves are dark or glaucous, often two-rowed, splayed and overlapping, usually sickle-shaped. Very prolific in good conditions.
Variety of yew berry ‘Dovastonii Aurea’(‘Dovastonii Aureovariegata) (before 1930, France). Grows slower than the green form. At 10 years old: 0.5 m high and 1.3 m wide. Young leaves and shoots are yellowish, the color persists throughout the year. The same type of 'Summergold' is a more modern variety.
Yew variety ‘Elegantissima’(‘Aurea Elegantis-sima’) (1891). Female clone. Large shrub. Under the conditions of Moscow, it freezes strongly and reaches 0.5 m by the age of 10, with a declared height of 1 m and a width of 1.5 m. The crown is vertical. Branches obliquely ascending, widely spread. Twigs with hanging ends.
As you can see in the photo, the yew tree of the Elegantissima variety is a plant with linear or crescent-shaped leaves, up to 3.5 cm long and 1.52 mm wide, gradually narrowed towards the top, arranged in two rows or spirally, randomly at the ends of the branches. Young leaves with a yellow border, which brightens later. The brightness of the color depends on the illumination. Forms sold under this name may vary in leaf size and shape. Found in nature.
Variety of yew berry ‘Erecta’(‘Pyramidalis’) (1838). Male clone. Large shrub. Normally, the crown is broadly columnar. In the middle lane it freezes strongly and has a wide, flattened crown. The branching is dense, the branches are short, prostrate or drooping, often extending almost at a right angle. The leaves are linear, overlapping, 1.8-2.2 cm long by 2 mm wide, usually arranged spirally, but there is also a two-row arrangement. They fall relatively early - in the 3rd year.
taxus media rehd.(T. cuspidnta x T. bassata)
It occupies an intermediate position between yew berry and pointed. Growth is more powerful than that of yew berry. Older branches are olive green, often reddish from above in the sun. Shoots ascending upwards. The needle needles are similar to the yew henna, but the needles are distinctly two-rowed. The central vein is more pronounced than in the yew berry. Needle length 1.3 - 2.7 cm, width 0.2 - 0.3 cm. Fruits annually. Seeds ripen in August, September. Frost-resistant. Drought tolerant. Another advantage of the middle yew is the ease of propagation by cuttings. Even without treatment with stimulants, up to 40% of rooted cuttings can be obtained.
In the BIN Botanical Garden since 1954. In cultivation, it may be more common than yew (Tsvelev, 2000), but usually it is not distinguished.
In GBS since 1957, 3 samples (6 copies) were grown from cuttings obtained from Poznan. Shrub, at 20 years old, height 1.0 m, crown diameter 270 cm. Vegetation from 26.IV ± 12. Annual growth 2 cm. Not dusty. Winter hardiness is below average. It is not found in the landscaping of Moscow.
Application: in various garden compositions, singly or in groups.
"Anthony Wayne". Fast growing columnar form with yellowish green needles. 1943, Hess Nursery, New York, USA.
Broivnii. Dwarf form. Height 2.5 m, crown diameter 3 - 4 m. The crown is rounded. The needles are needle-shaped, strong, sickle-shaped, dark green. Annual growth in height 10 cm, width 15 cm. It grows slowly. It cuts well. Shade-tolerant. Prefers fresh, well-drained loamy soils, does not tolerate stagnant water and acidic soils. Frost-resistant. Application: single landings, groups, curbs, rocky hills.
Densiformis. Female clone. Height 1.5 m, crown diameter 3 m. The crown is dense, rounded. Young shoots are greenish-brown in winter, numerous. The needles are needle-like, 20 - 22 mm long, 2.5 mm wide, thin, sharp at the top, light green above. Grows slowly. Annual growth is 10 cm. An extremely valuable form due to its high winter hardiness. Widely cultivated in Western Europe. Used for group and single plantings in gardens, on rocky areas.
Grandifolia. The shape is very squat, straight. The needles are often large, up to 30 mm long and 3 mm wide, dark green. From the USA, already in culture in Germany (with Yeddeloh).
"Hatfieldii". Shrub 4 m high and 3 m wide. The shape of the crown is wide conical. The branches are straight. The needles are radially standing, dark green, bright. Received in 1923 by breeder T. Hatfield in the USA. Propagated by cuttings (85%). Recommended for single and group landings on alpine slides. It is advisable to test when creating a hedge.
In GBS since 1958, 1 sample (5 copies) was grown from cuttings obtained from Kurnik (Poland). Shrub, height up to 1.7 m, crown diameter 120 cm. Vegetation from 26.IV ±11. Annual growth up to 4 cm. Male clone. Winter hardiness is below average. Rooted 100% cuttings without processing. It is not found in the landscaping of Moscow.
In the Botanical Garden of BIN since 1956, it was first tested here by A. G. Golovach (1980). It can be grown here in protected areas, with good care and removal of frosted branches.
"Hicksii". The male and female forms have a narrow columnar shape. Height 3-4m, 2-3 times the width. Shoots rising, long, often wider at the top of the plant than at the base. The needles on straight shoots are radial, distinctly two-line on lateral shoots, 25-30 mm long and 3 mm wide, shiny, dark green above, with a distinct central vein, light green below. Annual growth in height 15 cm. Grown for the first time around 1900 in Hick Nursery (USA) from seeds of yew pointed "Nana". Propagated by cuttings (92%). Recommended for group and single plantings on rocky areas, as well as on the lawn in the parterre part of the garden. Can be used for landscaping roofs, terraces, grown in containers.
In GBS since 1955 1 sample (1 copy) from Slovakia. Shrub, at the age of 14, height 0.7 m, crown diameter 160 cm. Vegetation from 27.IV ± 10. Annual growth 7 cm. Not dusty. Winter hardiness is low. 28% of summer cuttings treated with phyton take root. It is not found in the landscaping of Moscow.
In the Botanical Garden BIN since 1956, first tested by A. G. Golovach (1980), insufficiently winter-hardy. In harsh winters, skeletal branches freeze over.
"Hilli". Shrub, female form. The cultivar was bred in 1914. Height 3 - 5 m, crown diameter 2 - 3.5 m. The crown is dense, compact, wide pyramidal. The needles are needle-shaped, shiny, green, 2 - 2.2 cm long, up to 0.25 cm wide, pointed. Grows slowly. Annual growth in height 10-15 cm, width 10 cm. Shade-tolerant. Prefers fresh, well-drained loamy soils, does not tolerate stagnant water and acidic soils. It cuts well. Frost-resistant. Application: single plantings, groups, borders
"Moon". The shape is more or less straight; boughs and branches rising, very densely standing. From USA.
Nidiformis. Male form, wide and low with a deepened middle; boughs and branches are horizontally spreading, forming something like a nest. The leaves are dark green. 1953; distributed by F. G. Grotendorst, Boskop.
Sebian. The male form, wide and slowly growing, with a flat top, in 20 years reaches 1.8 m in height and 4 m in width. Very much appreciated in the USA, but afraid of early frosts.
"Strait Hedge". Female form. Height 3 - 5 m, crown diameter 1 - 1.5 m. The crown is dense, narrowly columnar. The needles are needle-shaped, two-line, located radially at the ends of the branches, dense, dark green. Grows slowly. Annual growth in height 15 cm, width b cm. Shade-tolerant. Prefers fresh, well-drained loamy soils, does not tolerate stagnant water and acidic soils. Frost-resistant. Application: single landings, groups, borders.
"Thayerae". Female form; very fast growing, wide-vasoform; branches far apart; A 25-year-old plant reaches 2 m in height and 5 m in width; boughs are horizontal, slightly raised, lateral shoots are few, with slightly hanging ends. Two-line needles, far apart, U-shaped on strong shoots, very thin, 20-25 mm long and 1.8-2 mm wide, shiny, light green. (=T cuspidata andersonii). Circa 1917 taken from seed at Bayard Thayer Estate in south Lancaster. Massachusetts, USA. Currently a very beloved and widespread form.
Ward. Female form, flat-round, very old plants reach up to 2 m in height and 6 m in width. The needles are very dense, dark green, very similar to those of T. cuspidata "Nana".
Yew (lat. Taxus) is a genus of plants from the Yew family (lat. Taxaceae). AT natural environment yews grow in temperate zones in the northern hemisphere: in Asia, North America and western Europe. There are representatives from the tropics: Florida and Java.
Description
The genus is represented by slow-growing evergreen trees or shrubs. The annual growth is from 2 to 15 cm. Dioecious and monoecious plants can be from 1 m to 25 in height. The diameter of the trunk reaches 3 m. The crown is very dense, columnar or ovoid-cylindrical, sometimes has several peaks. The bark is reddish-gray, smooth. The trunk is covered with dormant buds, from which lateral shoots develop. Needle-shaped leaves up to 3.5 cm long, glossy, dark green. Anther and seed cones are solitary, located in the leaf axils.
Leaves and fruits of yew
Pollination occurs in April-May. The seeds are hard, oval brown in color, surrounded by a fleshy roller, often bright red (it tastes sweet). In their natural environment, they grow in the second tier of deciduous forests or mixed beech, spruce, and fir. All parts of the plant (except the fleshy roller) are poisonous: they contain the alkaloid taxine. It often happens that plants bloom and bear fruit for two years in a row, and then rest for a year.
Species and varieties
T. short-leaved(lat. T. brevifolia) or T. Pacific - a species common along the Pacific coast. Bush or tree from 5 to 25 m. It grows very slowly (over 30 years, height 1 m), the crown is wide. Branches drooping, needles 1-2 cm.
T. canadian(lat. T. canadensis) grows in the undergrowth of coniferous forests. The trees are low, bushy, from 1 m to 2 m tall. The needles are sickle-shaped, yellowish-green above, light green below. T. Canadian winter-hardy, but young seedlings cover for the winter.
T. Canadian (T. canadensis)
T. berry(lat. T. baccata) or T. European - a common species, grows almost throughout Europe, is found in the Caucasus and Asia Minor, often in mountain forests, can grow on sandy soils. Trees are dioecious. They grow up to 15-17 m, in some regions up to 25 m. They have a spreading and dense crown. The length of the needles is 2-3 cm, it is updated every 6-8 years. Flowers are laid in autumn in the axils of the leaves at the base of the branches. The seed coat is bright red. The species is shade-tolerant and frost-resistant. Perfectly tolerates haircuts and transplants. On its basis, many varieties have been bred, some of which can be purchased in nurseries.
For example: "Amersfoort"(‘Amersfoort’) is a low view with oval needles that is exceptionally interesting for landscape design.
"Fastigiata Robusta"(‘Fastigiata Robusta’) - trees with a strictly columnar crown shape and long needles. Grow up to 3-5 m.
"Summergold"(‘Summergold’) - the variety has a wide flat crown, sickle-shaped needles 2-3 cm, golden yellow color. Can be grown in sunny areas.
T. berry "Summergold" (T. baccata ‘Summergold’)
T. far east(lat. T. cuspidate) or T. spiky is a tall tree up to 20-22 m. In the wild, it is found in Primorsky Krai, on Korean Peninsula and Japan. On Sakhalin Island, it grows only up to 3 m. The crown is irregular in shape, the branches are horizontal. Narrow leaves 2-3 cm long, crescent-shaped. The seeds are surrounded by a pink seedling up to half the length. They ripen in August-September. T. spiky frost-resistant, can withstand cold down to -40 ° C, tolerates drought well and has no requirements for soil composition. Popular varieties:
"Nana"(‘Nana’) - tolerates frost well, irregularly shaped crown, grows up to 2 m up and up to 10 m wide, grows by 5 cm annually, has a powerful root system.
"Expansa"(‘Expansa’) - a plant without a central trunk, vase-shaped. It grows slowly: in twenty years it grows only up to 3 m. The variety is widespread in the USA.
T. medium "Hicksie" (T. ×media ‘Hicksii’)
There are also two natural hybrids. Most famous:
T. medium(lat. T. ×media) was obtained by crossing T. berry and T. spiky. The leaves of the hybrid are softer green, and the young ones are emerald, the central vein is very clearly visible. The length of the needles is 1.5-3 cm. They grow up to 2 m. Fruiting is annual, fruit ripening in September. The hybrid reproduces well by cuttings (40% efficiency). Many varieties have been bred, for example, you can buy 'Hicksii' seedlings from us - two forms: male and female. The shape of the crown is narrow columnar. It grows up to 4 m. The branches are vertically directed. Needles 3 cm long, 0.3 mm wide, dark green, shiny. Annual growth 15 cm. Cuttings are 90% successful.
Photogallery of species
cultivation
Location. It is better to plant in places closed from the wind. Yews are one of the most shade-tolerant plants, some species grow well in lit areas.
Soils. There is no unequivocal recommendation for soils, each type has individual preferences. Most Versatile Blend: garden soil, peat, sand (3:2:2). T. spiky prefers loamy soils, does not like acidified and swampy soils. T. Canadian grows well on slightly acidic and neutral. T. berry develops on alkaline and slightly acidic soils. All plants need drainage up to 20 cm. Yews are sensitive to soil pollution with heavy metals and toxins, so in urban conditions they can grow and dry out unimportantly.
Topiary masterpieces
Watering. Plants do not tolerate excess moisture so they only need to be watered once a month. In general, yew is a drought-resistant plant. He likes sprinkling, which is done once every 2 weeks in the evening.
Landing. Planted at a distance of 60 cm from each other, planting depth up to 70 cm, root collar flush with the ground. When laying hedges, trenches 50 x 50 cm are made. When planting, universal fertilizer is applied. Planting is mulched.
pruning. Yews tolerate shearing and shortening branches by a third very well. Since they grow very slowly, it only takes decorative pruning once a year (autumn).
Shaping the yew
Care. Young seedlings are mulched with peat for the winter, wrapped in the northern regions. Adult yews are hardy. So that the branches do not break under the weight of snow, the crown is pulled with ropes and the branches are pulled to the trunk. To protect against insects in the spring, they are treated with 1% karbofos.
reproduction
seeds
Seeds are harvested in autumn, stored at a temperature of 5-6 °C. The most effective is sowing in the fall, because if you do it in the spring, you will need a seven-month stratification (so they will germinate in two months, and without a procedure - only after 1-3 years). Growing a yew from seeds is a matter for the most patient, because a plant suitable for planting can be obtained only after eight years.
Yew seedlings can be purchased at a specialized center
cuttings
A faster method used to propagate varietal yews. In autumn, three- and five-year-old apical or lateral (in bushy varieties) shoots are taken for cuttings, 20 cm long. They are planted in a box with a mixture of peat and sand, covered and placed indoors (greenhouse). The ends of the cuttings can be treated with a growth stimulator. Roots appear after 3 months. Planted in May. The growing period of the plant lasts 5-7 years.
An interesting fact: plants grown from cuttings taken from vertically directed branches develop in a vertical direction. Trees obtained from cuttings cut from horizontal branches grow spreading and low.
Composition of yew and boxwood
Usage
Yew is one of the most common conifers used in the US and Europe for landscaping: it is planted in containers, on rooftops, on terraces. In landscape design, they are grown in groups, used for rock gardens.
A very popular plant for hedges and high borders. Green spaces in partnership with boxwood make it possible to create real masterpieces of landscape gardening art. Masters of topiary (curly haircut) create various forms from yews: animals, architectural elements, geometric patterns, etc. An indispensable plant for creating parks in classical style, yew alleys of columnar varieties look very beautiful. It looks spectacular in company with rhododendrons and other conifers that have an excellent look of needles. Yews have very beautiful reddish wood, which can also be used for decorative purposes.
