Anglo-Japanese yew vs Common yew

Anglo-Japanese yew and Common yew are often considered for the same spot in the garden (hedge, screening, specimen). The data below shows where they differ: size, hardiness, care, toxicity and price.

Anglo-Japanese yew

Taxus × media 2.5 m × 1.5 m after 10 years

A dark green, dense evergreen and one of the best plants for a clipped hedge: it grows in sun and deep shade alike, copes well with city air and…

Hedge

Full sun

Part shade

Shade

from about CZK 170

Common yew

Taxus baccata 4 m × 2.1 m after 10 years

Its dense, dark green foliage makes a useful evergreen hedge or a clipped garden feature, even in shade. It tolerates pruning well, but eventually…

Hedge

Full sun

Part shade

Shade

from about CZK 180

Key differences

Common yew grows larger: 4 m × 2.1 m after ten years, against 2.5 m × 1.5 m for Anglo-Japanese yew (an estimate: sources differ).
Common yew also takes heavy clay, Anglo-Japanese yew needs a loose, free-draining soil.
Anglo-Japanese yew needs less care than Common yew.

Which one to choose?

Anglo-Japanese yew is the better choice if space is tight or you have little time for care.

Common yew is the better choice if the soil is heavy clay.

Watch out for

Anglo-Japanese yew

On wet, poorly drained soil it is killed by root rot, which is the most common cause of failure. In exposed sites winter sun and cold wind can scorch the needles. Twig and needle blight, scale insects, mealybugs and vine weevil are occasional problems.

Common yew

Waterlogged, poorly aerated soil can cause root rot and plant death. Prolonged hot, dry weather may require watering, especially while young; winter wind and sunshine can cause foliage browning. Scale insects, vine weevils and needle or shoot diseases can occur in Central Europe, but generally do not make it a poor garden choice. Male plants release allergenic pollen in spring.

The data side by side

Feature	Anglo-Japanese yew	Common yew
Group	Hedge	Hedge
Size after 10 years	2.5 m × 1.5 m	4 m × 2.1 m (uncertain)
Ultimate size	3–6 m × 2–4 m	10–20 m × 8–15 m
Growth rate	Slow	Slow (uncertain)
Light	Full sun, Part shade, Shade	Full sun, Part shade, Shade
Soil	Average garden soil, Sandy, Calcareous, Acidic	Average garden soil, Clay, Sandy, Calcareous, Acidic
Hardiness	down to -34 °C (USDA 4, RHS H7)	down to -29 °C (USDA 4, RHS H7)
Heat tolerance	Medium (uncertain)	Low
Foliage	Evergreen	Evergreen
Flowering	no data	March–April, yellow, green
Water need	Medium	Medium
Drought tolerance	Medium	Medium
Maintenance	Low	Medium
Planted as a hedge	3 plants per running metre	3 plants per running metre
For dogs	Highly toxic	Highly toxic
For cats	Highly toxic	Highly toxic
For children	Highly toxic	Highly toxic
Typical price	about CZK 170 (< 40 cm)	about CZK 2,500 (150–200 cm)

Prices are rounded, indicative values. Toxicity data is for information only. If your pet or child has eaten a plant, contact a vet or a doctor. Data updated: October 26, 2026

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