Taxus Baccata Fastigiata - Irish Yew

Taxus Baccata Fastigiata is also know as Irish Yew. It is a narrowly columnar evergreen conifer with narrow dark green leaves. Taxus Baccata Fastigiata is often used for hedging purposes as it makes a very neat, lovely dense coloured hedging. However, its columnar shape makes it a good choice as a specimen tree when you need a punctuating element in the garden. Irish Yew grows neatly and even without trimming will produce a lovely slim columnar shape.

While the English Yew (Taxus Baccata) needs no introduction to most of us. We use it for hedging, evergreen screening and as a stand-alone ornamental tree. But what of origins of the Irish Yew? In the 1750s in a County Fermanagh estate, two seedlings were discovered by accident and promptly cultivated. It is likely that most of the Irish Yews on the planet emanate from these two seedlings. The Irish Yew is characterised by its more upright and narrow growth habit (hence the Latin ‘fastigiata’ addition to its name). It demands less space than the spreading English Yew. Interestingly, most Irish Yews are female and carry bright red fruits in autumn, adding to the attraction. Care should be taken when positioning as although birds can eat these berries they are toxic to humans. Taxus Baccata Fastigiata also produces cones.

Relatively slow growing, over time Taxus Baccata Fastigiata will reach a maximum height of circa 10 metres. Max Spread 6m.
Irish Yew is accommodating and will grow in full sun or partial shade and is very hardy.
When planting, back-fill with soil mixed with peat substitute and a suitable fertiliser.

You may also be interested in the Taxus Baccata Fastigiata Aurea – the golden version of the Irish Yew.

After More Yew Hedging Options? See Native Yew for Hedging in many sizes Ready for Planting Now.