Irish yew (Taxus baccata ‘Fastigiata’) is a conifer that can grow 8m – 15m tall and 3m – 8m wide.
This plant has several common names including: Irish yew, blue John, court yew or Florence Court yew.
This is a evergreen plant that takes 20-50 years to reach full maturity.
Plant profile
Common name: Irish yew, blue John, court yew, Florence Court yew
Scientific name: Taxus baccata ‘Fastigiata’
Plant type: Conifers, Shrubs
Habit: Columnar / Upright
Height: 8m – 15m
Spread: 3m – 8m
Foliage: Evergreen
Sunlight: Full shade, Full Sun, Partial shade
Soil: Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
Moisture: Well drained
Garden type: Architectural
Planting type: Hedging & Screens, Low Maintenance
Other characteristics: RHS Award of Garden Merit
Seasonal colors
| Season | Stem | Foliage | Flower | Fruit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | ||||
| Summer | ||||
| Autumn | ||||
| Winter |
How to plant Irish yew (Taxus baccata ‘Fastigiata’) – Andrew Gray, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Cultivation profiles – Growing Irish yew (Taxus baccata ‘Fastigiata’) – Wilhelm Zimmerling PAR, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Hi guys, I would like to plant just one Irish Yew (taxus baccata ‘fastigiata’) in my urban wildlife garden. I don’t have a huge amount of space but keep reading, that yew can be easily pruned and kept in check. Is this true? Also, I only have space for one plant. English Yew, for example, needs a companion in order to produce berries. Is this still the case with Irish Yew, or is one plant enough (will I still get berries with only one specimen)? Lastly, does she have an extensive root system, as I have shrub roses and other plants growing nearby? Thanks.