How big does Anglo-Japanese yew grow?

About 2.5 m × 1.5 m after ten years (height × width). Its ultimate size is 3–6 m × 2–4 m.

What soil does Anglo-Japanese yew grow in?

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

Is Anglo-Japanese yew hardy?

Hardy down to -34 °C (USDA zone 4, RHS H7). It gets through winter in every part of the country.

Is Anglo-Japanese yew toxic to dogs?

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

Is Anglo-Japanese yew toxic to cats?

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

Is Anglo-Japanese 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 Anglo-Japanese 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 Anglo-Japanese yew be planted?

Planted on its own, it needs 40 cm between plants. For a hedge, allow 3 plants per metre.

How much water does Anglo-Japanese yew need?

Water need: medium. Drought tolerance: medium.

How much does Anglo-Japanese yew cost?

It sells for roughly PLN 84 to PLN 800 in local shops, depending on size.

Anglo-Japanese yew

Taxus × media

Anglo-Japanese yew (Taxus × media) is a hedge plant that reaches 2.5 m × 1.5 m after ten years. Light: full sun, part shade, shade. Hardy down to -34 °C. Drought tolerance: medium. Highly toxic to dogs, cats and children. Sold in local shops from about PLN 84.

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

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

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 resprouts even from old wood. It is slow, so it takes patience, but in return one trim a year keeps it tidy. Plant it only in well-drained soil because it does not tolerate standing water, and keep in mind that every part of it is highly poisonous.

Watch out for

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.

Highly toxic

Apart from the flesh of the red aril, every part of the plant is highly poisonous, including needles, bark and seeds, even when dry. The taxine alkaloids act on the heart and can cause tremors, vomiting, difficulty breathing, seizures, heart rhythm problems and sudden death in people, dogs, cats and horses alike. The red fruits attract children, and the seed inside is life-threatening if chewed. Never leave clippings where animals can reach them.

Key facts

Light: Full sun, Part shade, Shade
Water need: Medium
Care: Low
Size after 10 years: 2.5 m × 1.5 m
Hardiness: down to -34 °C
Foliage: Evergreen

All details

Group	Hedge
Light	Full sun, Part shade, Shade
Size after 10 years	2.5 m × 1.5 m
Ultimate size	3–6 m × 2–4 m
Hardiness	down to -34 °C (USDA 4, RHS H7)
Soil	Average garden soil, Sandy, Calcareous, Acidic
Foliage	Evergreen
Flowering	no data
Water need	Medium
Drought tolerance	Medium
Maintenance	Low
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	40 cm
For dogs	Highly toxic
For cats	Highly toxic
For children	Highly toxic
Typical price	from about PLN 84

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
50-60 cm	approx. PLN 84
60-80 cm	approx. PLN 92
80-100 cm	approx. PLN 150
100-125 cm	approx. PLN 210
150-175 cm	approx. PLN 800

Frequently asked questions

Data updated: October 26, 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

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

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