Fastigiata Plum Yew

Upright Japanese Plum Yew (Cephalotaxus harringtonia 'Fastigiata')

Upright Japanese Plum Yew gives you bold, evergreen structure in spaces that need height without bulk, especially in shade. Its dense, vertical habit creates a clean, finished look along foundations, entries, and narrow beds where many shrubs feel too wide. The deep green, needle-like foliage stays attractive through winter and pairs easily with broadleaf evergreens and flowering shrubs. If you want a durable evergreen that can look refined with minimal fuss, this is a dependable option.

Distinctive Features

This evergreen shrub forms an upright, columnar to vase-shaped outline with finely textured, dark green needles that look polished year-round. It is valued for strong shade tolerance and good performance in warm, humid conditions, making it useful where many needled evergreens struggle. Growth is typically slow to moderate, building a dense screen of foliage rather than a loose framework. Small, inconspicuous flowers are not ornamental, and fruit is uncommon unless female plants are present and pollinated.

Growing Conditions

• Sun: Part shade to shade is ideal, and it can take more sun in cooler summer climates with adequate moisture.
• 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 6 to 9.
• Mature Size: Typically 8 to 10 feet tall and 3 to 5 feet wide, sometimes broader with age.
• Habit: Upright, columnar to vase-shaped evergreen shrub with dense branching.
• Foliage: Dark green, needle-like evergreen foliage with strong winter presence.
• Deer: Often deer resistant, but not deer proof.

Ideal Uses

• Focal Point: Use it as a focal point beside an entry or in a narrow bed where a vertical evergreen accent adds instant structure.
• Foundation Planting: Place along foundations to create a clean, evergreen wall of texture without taking up too much space.
• Narrow Screening: Plant in a staggered row to build privacy in tight corridors where wider shrubs will not fit.
• Shade Borders: Anchor shaded beds with year-round height and contrast behind hostas, ferns, and flowering shrubs.
• Formal Groupings: Use in repeated groupings to create rhythm and a tidy architectural look in evergreen designs.

Low Maintenance Care

• Pruning: Prune in late winter to early spring or after new growth firms up to maintain a clean outline and encourage 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 problems over time.
• Winter Exposure: In windy, exposed sites, provide some shelter to reduce winter drying and foliage bronzing.

Why Choose Upright Japanese Plum Yew?

• Vertical Habit: A narrow, upright form adds height and structure without crowding walkways and foundations.
• Shade Performance: Strong tolerance for lower light makes it a reliable evergreen in shaded landscapes.
• Refined Texture: Fine, dark green foliage provides a polished backdrop for seasonal color.
• Heat Tolerance: Handles warm, humid conditions better than many traditional yews.
• Low Maintenance: Holds a tidy look with light pruning and straightforward care once established.

Upright Japanese Plum Yew is best when you give it good drainage, steady moisture while it establishes, and a spot where its vertical form can do real design work. Once settled, it delivers year-round structure and a calm evergreen presence that makes the surrounding planting look more intentional. Use it to solve narrow-space problems and to keep shaded beds looking finished in every season.