Taxus baccata aka Yew
Taxonomy
Taxus baccata is a species of evergreen tree in the family Taxaceae, native to western, central and southern Europe (including Britain and Ireland), northwest Africa, northern Iran, and southwest Asia. It is the tree originally known as yew, though with other related trees becoming known, it may now be known as common yew, English yew, or European yew. It is a relatively rare houseplant that is easy to grow and needs regular watering to thrive. English Yew likes soil that is well draining and should be less than 1 foot from a window. This tough and long-lived conifer has dense green or yellow-green foliage and is primarily grown as an ornamental. It is versatile and can be grown as a specimen tree or a clipped shrub, making it ideal for topiary and hedging. Moreover, it is both drought and pollution tolerant. This plant is not safe to consume; contact Poison Control, US (800) 222-1222, or your veterinarian if any amount has been ingested. If there are children, cats, or dogs at home, it is best to keep it out of reach.
Common names
Yew, Common Yew, English YewHow to care for Yew
Difficulty
Caring for Yew is a breeze, as it is highly adaptable and forgiving to minor neglect.
Water
Yew should be watered regularly, allowing the soil to dry out between waterings.
Soil
Yew loves a well-draining soil. Perlite and vermiculite help with drainage, while coco coir adds organic matter, so a good potting soil mix will have all three. You can improve store-bought soil by adding some perlite to it.
Dormancy
During the cold period, it is common for Yew to go dormant, resulting in a slowdown of growth. To accommodate this, waterings should be spaced out more.
Toxicity
Yew is poisonous if ingested. We suggest keeping this plant out of reach if you have children, cats, or dogs in the home.
Fertilizer
The Yew is characterized by its slow growth and doesn't need fertilization in addition to its potting soil. By renewing the soil in its pot once a year, it should have enough nutrition. Remember, plants get their energy from sunlight, not from any fertilizers.
Region of origin
Yew’s native range is Europe, incl Britain, from Scandanavia south and east to N. Africa, the Caucasus, Iran, Himalayas.
More info:
Wikipedia
