What soil does Common yew grow in?

It tolerates these soils: average garden soil, clay, sandy, calcareous, acidic.

Hardy down to -29 °C (USDA zone 4, RHS H7). It gets through winter in every part of the country.

Is Common yew toxic to dogs?

Yes, it is highly toxic to dogs: even a small amount can be life-threatening.

Is Common yew toxic to cats?

Yes, it is highly toxic to cats: even a small amount can be life-threatening.

Is Common yew toxic to children?

Yes, it is highly toxic to children: even a small amount can be life-threatening.

How far from the house should Common yew be planted?

Plant it at least 1.5 m from buildings. Keep it at least 0.5 m from paving.

How far apart should Common yew be planted?

Planted on its own, it needs 2.5 m between plants. For a hedge, allow 3 plants per metre.

When does Common yew flower?

Flowering: March–April, yellow, green.

How much water does Common yew need?

Water need: medium. Drought tolerance: medium.

How much does Common yew cost?

It sells for roughly CZK 180 to CZK 26,000 in local shops, depending on size.

Common yew

Taxus baccata

Common yew (Taxus baccata) is a hedge plant. Light: full sun, part shade, shade. Hardy down to -29 °C. Drought tolerance: medium. Highly toxic to dogs, cats and children. Sold in local shops from about CZK 180.

Illustration of Common yew — An illustration of the typical shape of the mature plant, not a photo.

What it's good for, and what it isn't

Its dense, dark green foliage makes a useful evergreen hedge or a clipped garden feature, even in shade. It tolerates pruning well, but eventually becomes a large tree if left untrimmed and needs well-drained soil. It is highly poisonous, so avoid positions where children or animals might eat it.

Watch out for

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.

Highly toxic

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. Ingestion can cause vomiting, abdominal symptoms, tremors, breathing difficulties, serious heart rhythm disturbances, seizures and sudden death. Suspected ingestion requires immediate medical or veterinary attention, even without symptoms. It is deadly to horses too: a few handfuls of needles or clippings can kill one, so do not plant it next to pastures, paddocks or bridleways.

Key facts

Light: Full sun, Part shade, Shade
Water need: Medium
Care: Medium
Size after 10 years: 4 m × 2.1 m
Hardiness: down to -29 °C
Foliage: Evergreen
Flowering: J F M A M J J A S O N D March–April, yellow, green

All details

Group	Hedge
Light	Full sun, Part shade, Shade
Size after 10 years	4 m × 2.1 m
Ultimate size	10–20 m × 8–15 m
Hardiness	down to -29 °C (USDA 4, RHS H7)
Soil	Average garden soil, Clay, Sandy, Calcareous, Acidic
Foliage	Evergreen
Flowering	March–April, yellow, green
Water need	Medium
Drought tolerance	Medium
Maintenance	Medium
Root aggressiveness	Low
Suckering	no
Spreading	Low
Distance from buildings	at least 1.5 m
Distance from paving	at least 0.5 m
Litter	not typical
Planting distance	250 cm
For dogs	Highly toxic
For cats	Highly toxic
For children	Highly toxic
Typical price	from about CZK 180

Toxicity data is for information only. If your pet or child has eaten a plant, contact a vet or a doctor.

Sizes and prices available

The same plant is sold as a small pot and as a specimen several metres tall, and the price follows. Prices are rounded and for guidance only.

Size	Typical price
25-30 cm	approx. CZK 260
35-40 cm	approx. CZK 1,600
50-60 cm	approx. CZK 900
80-100 cm	approx. CZK 650
100-120 cm	approx. CZK 800
125-150 cm	approx. CZK 1,400
150-175 cm	approx. CZK 1,900
175-200 cm	approx. CZK 8,200
size not stated	approx. CZK 180 – CZK 26,000

Frequently asked questions

Data updated: October 17, 2026 · How our data is made

Appears in these lists

Plants for shade Hedge plants Evergreen hedge plants Plants for screening Evergreen plants

Guide on the topic

Fast-growing hedges: how much each grows in a year The fastest hedge plant is the Leyland cypress, growing about 90 cm a year, followed by cherry laurel 'Novita', firethorn and western red cedar at about 50 cm a year, then privet at 40 cm. How long a 180 cm hedge takes to screen depends more on the size of plant you buy: several years from small plants, one or two summers from large ones, but at many times the price per metre. The tables use the current shop prices in your country.

Planting a hedge: how many plants per metre, and what it costs Most hedge plants go in at 2-4 plants per metre: Leyland cypress 2, cherry laurel and photinia 2.5 (40 cm apart), yew 3, hornbeam 3.5, privet and beech 4. The plants go in one row, 80 cm from the fence, in autumn or early spring. What the hedge costs depends most on the size of the plants: the table works it out at today's shop prices in your country, for the length of your own hedge.

Compare with similar plants

Common yew vs Anglo-Japanese yew Common yew vs Arborvitae Common yew vs Cherry laurel Common yew vs Ebbing's silverberry Common yew vs European hornbeam Common yew vs Irish yew Common yew vs Japanese spindle Common yew vs Leyland cypress Common yew vs Oval-leaved privet Common yew vs Photinia 'Red Robin' Common yew vs Red-tip photinia

Looks good next to it

Yellow barrenwort

Epimedium × versicolor

Chinese redbud

Cercis chinensis

Pawpaw

Asimina triloba