Photinia 'Red Robin' vs Common yew

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

Photinia 'Red Robin'

Photinia × fraseri 'Red Robin' 3 m × 2 m after 10 years

Glossy evergreen leaves and bright red new shoots make this a colourful hedge or a striking standalone shrub. Give it sun or partial shade, shelter…

Hedge

Full sun

Part shade

from about PLN 15

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 PLN 6.40

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 3 m × 2 m for Photinia 'Red Robin' (an estimate: sources differ).
Photinia 'Red Robin' grows faster than Common yew (an estimate: sources differ).
Common yew is hardier: down to -29 °C, against -18 °C for Photinia 'Red Robin'.
Common yew also grows in shade, Photinia 'Red Robin' does not.
Common yew has pollen that can cause allergies, Photinia 'Red Robin' does not (an estimate: sources differ).

Which one to choose?

Photinia 'Red Robin' is the better choice if small children, dogs or cats use the garden, space is tight, you want quick results or someone in the family has a pollen allergy.

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

Watch out for

Photinia 'Red Robin'

In Central Europe, severe frost, winter drying and late frosts can damage foliage and young shoots; it is not a reliable choice where winter minima reach -20 to -25 °C. Entomosporium leaf spot can cause substantial defoliation in humid, poorly ventilated planting. Waterlogging can damage roots, and strongly calcareous soil may cause nutrient-deficiency yellowing.

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	Photinia 'Red Robin'	Common yew
Group	Hedge	Hedge
Size after 10 years	3 m × 2 m	4 m × 2.1 m (uncertain)
Ultimate size	3–5 m × 3–5 m (uncertain)	10–20 m × 8–15 m
Growth rate	Fast	Slow (uncertain)
Light	Full sun, Part 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–June, white	March–April, yellow, green
Water need	Medium	Medium
Drought tolerance	Medium	Medium
Maintenance	Medium	Medium
Planted as a hedge	2.5 plants per running metre	3 plants per running metre
For dogs	Mildly toxic (uncertain)	Highly toxic
For cats	Mildly toxic (uncertain)	Highly toxic
For children	Mildly toxic (uncertain)	Highly toxic
Typical price	about PLN 20 (40–60 cm)	about PLN 8.60 (< 40 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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