What plants go well with yews?

Good companion plants for yews include roses (Rosa spp.), irises (Iris spp.), lilacs (Syringa spp.), viburnums (Viburnum spp.), hydrangeas (Hydrangea spp.) and plants of Mediterranean origin, such as rosemary (Rosmarinus spp.) and lavender (Lavandula spp.).

Do yews like sun or shade?

Yew shrubs have been around for ages and are extremely long-lived plants. It is even believed that the ancient (and mythical) Yggdrasil tree of Norse mythology was a yew tree. These plants are tolerant of many conditions, from drought and shade to sun and moist soil.

What conditions do yews like?

Growing yews can be achieved in zones 4 through 8. While this evergreen shrubs flourishes in sun to partial sun and well drained soil, it is tolerant of most any exposure and soil make up, with the exception of overly wet soil, which may cause root rot.

Can yews handle full sun?

Yews grow in full sun to dense shade, but best with some shade to provide winter protection from strong winds. Prefer moist, well-drained soil rich in organic matter. Yews will not tolerate wet soil.

When should yews be pruned?

The best time to prune your yews is shortly before the yews start growing in spring, usually in mid- to late March in our area. There may be a window of opportunity in early April if the weather has been cold.

Why do yews turn brown?

When salts have washed into the soil under a yew, leaching the soil with a large amount of water may help. Wounds to the bark of branches can also cause portions of yews to turn brown. Such wounds can be caused by animals or inadvertent injury by people. Browning of yews, possibly from salt damage.

Are yews toxic to dogs?

Toxicity to pets This common evergreen (meaning the plant stays green all year round) is extremely poisonous to all species (e.g., dogs, cats, horses, cattle, humans, etc.). All parts of the plant (including the succulent, red berries) are very poisonous, as they contain taxines.

What is the best fertilizer for yews?

How to Fertilize Evergreens Yews

• Sprinkle a high-nitrogen fertilizer, such as 16-8-8, around the base of an evergreen yew, starting about 4 inches from the trunk.
• Scratch the fertilizer into the surface around your evergreen yew with a garden rake.

How far can yews be cut back?

A. You can prune healthy yews (Taxus spp.) back quite severely with no problem. You can easily reduce their size by one-half to three-quarters.

How do you shape yews?

To make a yew tree bushier and fuller, just clip off the outer growth. This heading cut stimulates new growth and makes the tree look rounder and fuller. Be careful not to trim the top of a yew until it has reached your preferred height plus a few inches.

How do you rejuvenate yews?

Unlike juniper, pine, or spruce, these evergreens sprout well from old, thick wood. Prune them in early spring, apply a balanced fertilizer, such as 10-10-10, and water them through the summer. It may take a few years, but the yews will revive — so vigorously that only annual pruning will hold them in check.