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Hicks Yew
Taxus x media ‘Hicksii’
Description & Overview
Hicks yew has a very narrow vertical form and works well for hedges, topiary forms, or any place where a columnar evergreen would be desired due to space requirements. Like all yews, it grows well in sun or shade. Very long lived and slow growing. Excellent for wherever a narrow evergreen is desired.
Core Characteristics
Suggested Uses:
The slow growth habit and upright form make Hicks Yew easy to maintain in the landscape. Often pruning is only necessary for height control once the plant is established. While an old specimen can be up to 14′ tall, height is fairly easy to control with shearing 1-2 times during the growing season. Due to its tolerance to shade, it is most often used in sites with filtered light although it is perfectly happy in full sun too.
Wildlife Value:
The fleshly red aril (fruit) is eaten by birds.
Maintenance Tips:
Like all yews, Hicks Yew shears well. It is more commonly only sheared to maintain a desired height, but also works well for formal sheared hedges or topiary forms too. Read more about Hedging & Shearing.
Pests/Problems:
Yews have almost no pest or disease issues to discuss. They can be browsed upon by deer in the winter months if they cannot find a more preferable food source.
Leaf Lore:
This selection was made in the early 20th century by Henry Hicks.
Companion Plants:
Unless used in topiary form or for screening, it is best contrasted with plants that have bright foliage to really show of the dark green needles. If planted in sites with filtered light, then the bright foliage of variegated Hostas or Coralbells nearby really make the dark green needles of Hicks Yew stand out.
