Taxus x media 'Hillii' – Hill's Yew

Hill's Yew is a choice shrub for landscaping, recognized for its great versatility and impeccable structure. This evergreen conifer stands out for its dense, columnar habit and its remarkable ability to thrive even in deep shade, a rare feature for conifers. Its high tolerance for pruning makes it an ideal candidate for creating formal hedges, privacy screens, or even topiary.

Characteristics

• Foliage: It displays fine-textured evergreen foliage, composed of small, rich dark green needles. In spring, new light green shoots create a bright and attractive contrast with the older foliage.
• Flowering: It produces an insignificant flowering. Being a male selection, this yew does not develop any red berries.
• Light: It performs equally well in full sun and full shade. However, it's best to avoid very hot and dry situations, like direct afternoon sun against a white wall.
• Habit: It develops a naturally narrow, fastigiate (columnar), and dense habit, with branches that ascend sharply. Its base remains full right to the ground, eliminating the need for facer plants.
• Growth: Slow. It is a very long-lived shrub that can live for 50 years or more. It reaches a height of 2.5 to 3 m (8-10 feet) and a spread of 1 to 1.25 m (3-4 feet).
• Moisture: It prefers average and consistent moisture conditions.
• Soil: It adapts to most soil types and pH levels but absolutely will not tolerate waterlogged or poorly drained soils.
• Hardiness: Hardy to Zone 4. It appreciates a location that is relatively sheltered from drying winter winds.
• Watering: It requires average watering, especially while establishing. It does not tolerate standing water.
• Resistance: It handles urban pollution very well. Note: Unlike many yews, it does not seem to be deer resistant.

Uses

• Types of Use: It is the quintessential choice for creating dense hedges or privacy screens. Its columnar form also makes it an excellent vertical accent in a border, in mass plantings, or for foundation plantings.
• Ornamental Features: It offers structure, colour, and a refined texture to the garden all year round. Its formal, dense shape brings a touch of elegance and can be pruned into a topiary for an even more spectacular effect.

Care

• Fertilizing: Apply a conifer fertilizer in the spring to encourage healthy growth.
• Pruning: Its maintenance is minimal. It tolerates pruning admirably well and can be trimmed at any time of year to maintain a precise shape or simply to control its size. It can also be left to grow freely for a softer texture.
• Planting: Choose a location that will protect it from strong winter winds. Applying mulch at its base and installing a burlap wrap are recommended in very exposed locations to prevent winter dehydration. All parts of this plant are toxic to humans and domestic animals.