Japanese spindle vs Common yew

Japanese spindle 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.

Japanese spindle

Euonymus japonicus 2 m × 1.5 m after 10 years

An evergreen shrub with glossy, leathery leaves that takes clipping well, so it works as a low to medium hedge, a screen or a container plant, and…

Hedge

Full sun

Part shade

Shade

from about CZK 49

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 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 larger: 4 m × 2.1 m after ten years, against 2 m × 1.5 m for Japanese spindle (an estimate: sources differ).
Common yew is hardier: down to -29 °C, against -18 °C for Japanese spindle.
Common yew has pollen that can cause allergies, Japanese spindle does not (an estimate: sources differ).

Which one to choose?

Japanese spindle is the better choice if small children, dogs or cats use the garden, space is tight or someone in the family has a pollen allergy.

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

Watch out for

Japanese spindle

Only moderately hardy in Central Europe: at roughly -15 to -20 °C, or in strong winter sun and wind, the leaves scorch, and in a hard winter shoots can die back, especially on young and variegated plants. It usually resprouts in spring, but it is a risky hedge for cold, exposed sites. Euonymus scale is a common pest, and powdery mildew attacks dense, poorly ventilated plantings.

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	Japanese spindle	Common yew
Group	Hedge	Hedge
Size after 10 years	2 m × 1.5 m	4 m × 2.1 m (uncertain)
Ultimate size	2.5–4.5 m × 1.5–2.5 m	10–20 m × 8–15 m
Growth rate	Medium	Slow (uncertain)
Light	Full sun, Part shade, Shade	Full sun, Part shade, Shade
Soil	Average garden soil, Clay, Sandy, Calcareous, Acidic	Average garden soil, Clay, Sandy, Calcareous, Acidic
Hardiness	down to -18 °C (USDA 6, RHS H6)	down to -29 °C (USDA 4, RHS H7)
Heat tolerance	no data	Low
Foliage	Evergreen	Evergreen
Flowering	May–July, green	March–April, yellow, green
Water need	Medium	Medium
Drought tolerance	Medium	Medium
Maintenance	Medium	Medium
Planted as a hedge	3 plants per running metre	3 plants per running metre
For dogs	Toxic (uncertain)	Highly toxic
For cats	Toxic (uncertain)	Highly toxic
For children	Mildly toxic	Highly toxic
Typical price	approx. CZK 65	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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