Only female plants produce the attractive berries, but both sexes need to be present to ensure fruit production. One male plant is generally sufficient to pollinate six to eight female plants. Yews will withstand almost any exposure and will grow in any reasonably good garden soil that has good drainage. They prefer a shaded or partially shaded planting site with a moist, well-drained soil. Direct sunlight and strong winds may injure the foliage in winter.
Upright yews are usually less than half as wide as they are tall.
Globe-shaped or rounded ones are about the same width as height. Spreading yews are two to three times as wide as they are tall. Some of the most commonly grown cultivars are listed in Table 1. Approximate mature height of some commonly grown cultivars of yew. Its seed is produced in small cones.