Taxtus - Yew for Your Gardens

Yews are ancient trees of mythology, history, and horticulture, and grace our gardens with their easy-care, evergreen presence.

There are a number of Yew species worldwide, but the ones commonly grown in the United States, Europe, Asia, and northern Africa are Taxus baccata (European or English Yew), and cultivars of the Taxus × media hybrid. Taxus baccata was important in Norse and Celtic mythology, and because of its toxicity, was also often planted in English churchyards to discourage livestock from wandering in. 

In Britain and northern Europe, yew was found to be excellent for the crafting of long bows because of its flexible, springy wood. Now, yews are mainly used horticulturally and there are a number of great varieties for accents, privacy screens, hedges, topiary, and bonsai.