Ebbing's silverberry vs Common yew

Ebbing's silverberry and Common yew are often considered for the same spot in the garden (hedge, screening, container). The data below shows where they differ: size, hardiness, care, toxicity and price.

Key differences

• Common yew is highly toxic to children, dogs and cats: even a small amount can be life-threatening. Do not plant it where small children, dogs or cats go. Needles, shoots, bark and seeds are highly poisonous to people, dogs and cats; dried clippings remain dangerous. Only the fleshy red aril is non-toxic, while the seed inside is poisonous, so the fruit should not be treated as edible.

• Common yew grows taller, Ebbing's silverberry spreads wider: 4 m × 2.1 m and 2.5 m × 2.5 m after ten years (an estimate: sources differ).

• Ebbing's silverberry grows faster than Common yew (an estimate: sources differ).

• Common yew is hardier: down to -29 °C, against -18 °C for Ebbing's silverberry.

• Ebbing's silverberry copes better with summer heat than Common yew.

• Ebbing's silverberry tolerates drought better than Common yew.

• Common yew also takes heavy clay, Ebbing's silverberry needs a loose, free-draining soil.

• Ebbing's silverberry is non-toxic to children, dogs and cats, Common yew is not.

• Common yew has pollen that can cause allergies, Ebbing's silverberry does not (an estimate: sources differ).

Which one to choose?

Ebbing's silverberry is the better choice if small children, dogs or cats use the garden, you want quick results, the spot is hot and sunny or you cannot water regularly.

Common yew is the better choice if the garden is cold or a frost pocket or the soil is heavy clay.