Duke Gardens Japanese Plum Yew

Duke Gardens Japanese Plum Yew (Cephalotaxus harringtonia 'Duke Gardens')

Duke Gardens Japanese Plum Yew gives you a dependable, deep-green evergreen presence in places where many shrubs struggle, especially in shade and heat. Its compact, spreading habit makes beds look finished year-round without demanding constant pruning. The fine, needled texture also pairs cleanly with broadleaf shrubs and perennials, helping mixed plantings feel more balanced. If you need an evergreen that reads polished in foundation beds, borders, and woodland-style designs, this is an easy win.

Distinctive Features

This plum yew is valued for dense, glossy, dark green, needle-like foliage and a low, mounded to spreading form that stays neat with minimal effort. It tolerates shade exceptionally well for an evergreen with this texture, and it also holds up in warm, humid summers better than many true yews. New growth often shows a brighter green tone before deepening, keeping the plant looking fresh through the growing season. The overall effect is a refined evergreen mass that looks intentional in every season.

Growing Conditions

• Sun: Part shade to shade is ideal, and it can handle more sun in cooler summer climates with adequate moisture.
• Soil: Moist, well-drained soil is best, and it tolerates sand or clay if drainage is reliable.
• Water: Medium moisture, keep evenly moist while establishing, then water during extended dry periods.
• USDA Zones: Zones 6 to 9.
• Mature Size: Typically 3 to 4 feet tall and 4 to 6 feet wide.
• Habit: Dense, spreading, mounded evergreen shrub.
• Deer: Often deer resistant, but not deer proof.

Ideal Uses

• Focal Point: Use a single, well-shaped plant as a focal point in a shaded bed where evergreen texture needs to stand out.
• Foundation Planting: Mass along the house for a clean evergreen base layer that stays attractive all year.
• Shaded Borders: Fill low-light edges with dense green structure that supports seasonal color around it.
• Low Hedge: Plant in a line and clip lightly for a compact, tidy border in part shade.
• Woodland Garden: Pair with shade perennials to create a layered, refined look that stays strong through winter.

Low Maintenance Care

• Pruning: Prune in late winter to early spring or after new growth firms up to maintain shape and density.
• Watering: Water deeply during the first growing season and during drought to prevent stress and thinning.
• Mulching: Mulch the root zone to conserve moisture and protect roots, keeping mulch a few inches away from stems.
• Drainage: Avoid poorly drained soils to reduce the risk of root issues over time.
• Winter Care: In exposed sites, shelter from drying wind to reduce winter burn and needle bronzing.

Why Choose Duke Gardens Japanese Plum Yew?

• Shade Strength: Performs well in shade where many evergreens lose density or color.
• Compact Coverage: A low, spreading habit fills space neatly without overwhelming nearby plants.
• Heat Tolerance: Handles warm, humid summers better than many traditional yews.
• Year-Round Texture: Fine, glossy foliage keeps borders looking finished in every season.
• Design Versatility: Works as a foundation shrub, low hedge, or evergreen mass in mixed plantings.

Duke Gardens Japanese Plum Yew is a practical evergreen when you want reliable structure, refined texture, and strong performance in shade. Give it good drainage, steady moisture while it establishes, and light pruning only when needed. In the right spot, it becomes a long-term anchor that quietly makes the entire planting look more intentional.