English Yew, Taxus Baccata, Tree Seeds (Evergreen, Topiary) 30 Seeds
Brand: SAVOIR
Other Names: Common Yew, European Yew Zone: 6 to 8 Growth Rate: Slow Plant Type: Large Evergreen Conifer Shrub or Small Tree. Family: Taxaceae Native Range: Europe, Southwestern Asia and Northern Africa. Height: 30 to 60 feet Spread: 15 to 25 feet Shape: Wide Spreading, Dense Branches. Flower/Fruit: Yellow flowers on male plants; red fruit on female plants. Sun: Full Sun to Part Shade Fall Color: Evergreen Drought Tolerance: Low Water: Medium Maintenance: Low Site Requirements /Soil Tolerances: Best grown in evenly moist, fertile, sandy loams with excellent drainage in full sun to part shade. Tolerant of full shade, a wide variety of soils (except poorly-drained ones) and considerable pruning. Culture: Plants are easy to prune and respond well to pruning. Intolerant of temperature extremes (e.g., prolonged hot summer temperatures or cold winter winds). Susceptible to winter burn from exposure to extreme cold and/or dry winter winds, particularly in exposed sites. Should be located in sheltered locations with protection from winter winds. Uses: Parks, gardens, understory shrub, hedges, screens, in groupings or mass plantings, topiary, decoration, Bonsai. English Yew is one of the best evergreen conifers for shady areas. Sowing Taxus baccata Seeds: For best results, please follow the instructions in the order provided. Scarify: Soak in water for 24 hours Stratify: Warm 90-200 Days, then Cold 60-120 days, 40 Degrees F in a Moist Medium (Not wet). Germination: Sow 1/4” Deep, Keep moist (Not wet).
Taxus baccata, commonly called English Yew, is a long-lived, evergreen, conical tree that is native to Europe, Southwestern Asia and Northern Africa. It typically grows to 30 to 60 feet tall. Old trees usually develop thick trunks with scaly reddish-brown bark. Lustrous, flat-needled, two-ranked, dark green foliage (needles to 1 1/2 inches long) is attractive year round.
Young shoots emerge light green. Although classified as a conifer, female yews (plants are dioecious) do not produce cones, but instead produce red, ornamentally attractive, berry-like fruits, each having a single seed almost completely surrounded by a fleshy red aril. Birds will feed on the berry-like fruits and help spread plants to other locations.
All parts of the tree are highly toxic, except the bright red aril surrounding the seed, enabling ingestion and dispersal by birds. The seeds are eaten by some bird species. The aril is not poisonous and is gelatinous and very sweet tasting.
The English Yew is extremely long-lived. In Great Britain and in Normandy, there are many Yews dating back around the year 1000 and some of them around 500. The Fortingall Yew is commonly believed to be the oldest one, with an estimated age between 2000 and 4000 years old, growing in a Scottish church yard.
Genus name comes from the old Latin name for yews. Specific epithet means fruit-bearing in reference to the showy red arils.