General Description

A slow growing, low and wide-spreading shrub that is typically used as a ground cover and is adaptable to a wide range of climates.

Landscape

With poisonous seeds, the location of this shrub is important to think about. It can be used as a slow growing ground cover or lower growing hedge when pruned. It has an aesthetically pleasing look when planted in groups or used for mass plantings and can be planted within a rock garden.

Cultivation

For best growth it will require well-drained, acidic, alkaline, or neutral soil and can tolerate either shade or full sun locations making it very versatile. It is known to be pollution tolerant but not salt tolerant and will tolerate an exposed open location.

Shape

A low, spreading shrub that has weeping foliage tips and will gradually get wider as it matures but will not gain any considerable height.

ID Characteristic

Needle-like foliage is dark green on top and lighter blueish-green underneath and in a spiral arrangement along the branch. The tips of the foliage curve forming a weeping look and contrast with the bright red aril that covers the green seed of the fruit. It is known to be one of the hardiest English Yews.

Pests

Mealybugs, mites and pythium root rot are all common pests with this cultivar. Mealybugs will attach themselves to the plant and use their suckers to drain the sap and mites will attack the buds of the plant. Both these pest issues can either be dealt with chemical sprays or lady beetles. Pythium root rot happens when the plant is in an overly moist location, causing fungal spores to develop. This issue will cause the plant to eventually die, and the soil and plant will need to be replaced.

Habitat

Horticultural origin.

Bark/Stem Description

Young bark tends to have a red to dark brown colour and as the bark matures it will develop a scaly look.

Flower/Leaf Bud Description

Ovid in shape, buds are scaly and tend to be around 0.5 to 1.2 cm in length.

Leaf Description

Simple needle-like foliage that is sickle shaped and grows up to 18 mm in length and 2 mm wide. They have entire margins with parallel venation and are dark green on top, while a lighter blueish-green underneath. The colour of the needles does not change throughout the year.

Flower Description

As a female cultivar it does not produce flowers.

Fruit Description

Green, single ovoid shaped seeds are partially covered by a red aril. They will be present during October to November and be around 8 mm long. It should be noted that the seed is poisonous and should not be consumed.

Colour Description

Foliage stays its dark green colour all year long and contrasts with the bright red berries during the autumn months of October and November. Bark adds a dark brown colour with hints of red.

Texture Description

Texture stays the same year round with smooth leaves and flaky bark.

Notable Specimens

Kwantlen Polytechnic University located in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada has a specimen part of their turf field lab.

Propagation

It can be propagated using either semi-hardwood cuttings or soft-woods cuttings. Semi-hard wood cuttings will need to be taken from the thickest part of its prior year’s growth. Soft-wood cuttings need to be taken from the top region of mature wood that has just begun to form. Both types of cuttings will need to be taken in the morning and placed in a container with well-drained acidic soil. Set them in a location that will give them access to partial or full sun.

Ethnobotanical Uses (Disclaimer)

The berries of this shrub can be eaten if the seeds have been removed before. It has a few medicinal uses that include treatment of chest pains. In recent years Taxol has been detected in the shoots and can be used in making anti cancer drugs that would help treat ovarian cancer. The foliage has been used in the treatment of asthma, bronchitis, hiccups, indigestion, rheumatism, and epilepsy.

Dempsey, D., & Hook, I. (2000). Yew ( Taxus ) Species - Chemical And Morphological Variations. Pharmaceutical Biology, 38(4). http://ezpxy.fanshawec.ca/login?url=https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=edb&AN=4588856&site=eds-live Kwantlean Polytechnic University. (known published date). School of Horticulture: Taxus baccata ‘Repandens’. Retrieved march 31, 2022 from https://plantdatabase.kpu.ca/plant/plantDetail/409