Meyeri Yew

Meyeri Yew (Taxus x media 'Meyeri')

Meyeri Yew is a dense, upright evergreen that gives landscapes a finished look in every season, especially when you need reliable screening without a fussy feel. Its dark green needles create a calm backdrop that makes flowering shrubs and perennials look more intentional. The growth is steady and easy to manage, so you can keep it natural or maintain a tighter outline with light pruning. If you want long-term structure that performs in a range of light conditions, this yew is a dependable choice.

Distinctive Features

This anglojap yew develops a dense, upright to slightly broad column with dark green, needle-like foliage that holds strong winter presence. The branching is naturally full, which makes it effective for hedging and privacy without needing constant shearing. It tolerates pruning well, including reduction and shaping, and it can recover from cuts on older wood when healthy. Like other yews, all parts are toxic if ingested, and deer browsing can be an issue where pressure is high.

Growing Conditions

• Sun: Full sun to part shade, and it can tolerate shade with good density.
• Soil: Well-drained soil is essential, and it adapts to loam, sand, or clay when drainage is reliable.
• Water: Medium moisture, keep evenly moist while establishing, then water during extended dry periods.
• USDA Zones: Zones 4 to 7.
• Mature Size: Typically 10 to 12 feet tall and 5 to 7 feet wide.
• Habit: Dense, upright evergreen shrub with a narrow to moderately broad outline.
• Foliage: Dark green evergreen needles with strong year-round structure.

Ideal Uses

• Focal Point: Use it as a focal point where a tall evergreen form can anchor the design and hold interest all year.
• Privacy Screen: Plant in a row to build a dense screen along property lines or in narrow side yards.
• Hedge: Clip lightly to create a classic hedge with clean lines and dependable winter presence.
• Foundation Backdrop: Place behind lower shrubs to add depth and evergreen structure near the home.
• Evergreen Massing: Group several plants to create a strong green wall that supports seasonal color around it.

Low Maintenance Care

• Pruning: Prune in late winter to early spring or after the main flush of growth to shape, thicken, and control size.
• 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 decline over time.
• Winter Exposure: In exposed sites, provide shelter from drying wind and strong winter sun to reduce needle scorch.

Why Choose Meyeri Yew?

• Dense Screening: Naturally full branching creates privacy and structure with less effort than many evergreens.
• Year-Round Finish: Dark green foliage keeps landscapes looking organized through every season.
• Pruning Friendly: Responds well to shaping and size control for formal or natural looks.
• Flexible Light Tolerance: Performs in sun to part shade and can handle shade for more placement options.
• Long-Term Backbone: A durable evergreen that can serve as a permanent framework plant for decades.

Meyeri Yew is best when you give it good drainage, steady moisture while it establishes, and a placement where its dense habit can do real design work. Once settled, it becomes a reliable screen or hedge that keeps the landscape looking finished even in winter. In areas with deer pressure, plan protection so the plant can maintain its full, clean look.