Irish Yew

Irish Yew (Taxus baccata 'Stricta')

Irish Yew is a classic, narrow evergreen that adds strong vertical structure and year-round privacy without taking up much width. Its deep green needles and tight, upright habit make it a natural fit for formal gardens, narrow side yards, and foundation lines that need height without bulk. It holds its shape well, but it also responds to pruning when you want a sharper outline. If you want a long-lived evergreen that looks refined in every season, Irish Yew is a dependable choice.

Distinctive Features

This English yew selection forms a very narrow, fastigiate column with dense, upright branching and dark green, needle-like foliage that provides crisp winter presence. The silhouette is naturally formal and architectural, making it useful for symmetry, repetition, and strong vertical lines in design. Female plants can produce red, berry-like arils in fall if pollinated, adding subtle seasonal interest and wildlife appeal, while male plants remain fruit free. Like other yews, all parts are toxic if ingested.

Growing Conditions

• Sun: Full sun to part shade, and it tolerates shade for flexible placement.
• Soil: Moist, well-drained soil is best, and it adapts to many soils when drainage is reliable.
• Water: Medium moisture, keep evenly moist while establishing, then water during extended dry periods.
• USDA Zones: Zones 6 to 8.
• Mature Size: Typically 10 to 20 feet tall and 3 to 5 feet wide.
• Habit: Very narrow, upright, fastigiate evergreen shrub to small tree.
• Deer: Not deer resistant and may be browsed where deer pressure is high.

Ideal Uses

• Focal Point: Use it as a focal point beside an entry or at the end of a walkway where a slim evergreen column adds instant structure.
• Formal Accents: Plant in pairs to frame doorways, gates, or garden openings with a classic vertical look.
• Narrow Screening: Use in a row for privacy screening in tight corridors where wider evergreens will not fit.
• Foundation Structure: Place near corners and vertical lines to add height and balance without crowding the bed.
• Rhythm and Repetition: Repeat along a path or wall to create a strong architectural cadence in the landscape.

Low Maintenance Care

• Pruning: Prune in late winter to early spring or after the main flush of growth to maintain a tight column and improve 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 reduce weeds, keeping mulch a few inches away from stems.
• Drainage: Avoid wet, poorly drained soils to reduce the risk of root and crown problems over time.
• Winter Exposure: In exposed sites, shelter from drying wind and strong winter sun to reduce needle scorch.

Why Choose Irish Yew?

• Iconic Columnar Form: Creates strong vertical structure and privacy while staying narrow.
• Year-Round Presence: Dark green evergreen foliage keeps landscapes looking finished in every season.
• Formal Design Value: Ideal for symmetry, repetition, and refined architectural planting styles.
• Pruning Friendly: Responds well to trimming for crisp lines and controlled size.
• Long-Term Backbone: A durable evergreen that can anchor a landscape for decades with basic care.

Irish Yew is best when you give it good drainage, steady moisture while it establishes, and a placement where its narrow form can do real design work. Once settled, it becomes a dependable vertical evergreen that quietly elevates the entire planting. If deer are common in your area, plan protection so the plant can keep its dense, finished look.