An Introduction to the Varieties and Everyday Care of the Yew

The yew is the collective name for evergreen trees or shrubs of the genus Taxus in the family Taxaceae, also known as the yew, and is a rare tree species under key protection in our country. It has a stately form, with slender, flat, dark green glossy leaves, and when the seeds ripen they are wrapped in a red cup-shaped aril, resembling a red bean, which is how it got its name. Wild yews grow slowly and are mostly found in mountain forests; wild resources are strictly protected by law, and the plants commonly sold on the market are artificially propagated seedlings.

Common varieties include Chinese yew (Taxus chinensis), southern Chinese yew (Taxus wallichiana var. mairei), Japanese yew (Taxus cuspidata), Yunnan yew (Taxus wallichiana), and the introduced Taxus media, among others; different varieties differ slightly in cold hardiness and plant form. The yew is strongly shade-tolerant, with foliage that stays green year-round, making it suitable for planting in the ground in courtyards or growing in pots indoors for ornament, and it can also be trained by pruning into a variety of shapes.

For yew care, choose loose, fertile, slightly acidic soil with good drainage, and place it in a spot with scattered light, avoiding strong direct sun in summer. Water by the principle of letting the soil dry out between waterings, keeping the potting soil slightly moist but not waterlogged; when the air is dry, mist the leaves to raise humidity. Take care to protect it from the cold in winter; in cold northern regions, insulation measures are needed for overwintering outdoors.

One thing to note: apart from the red aril, most parts of the yew plant contain toxic compounds, so the branches, leaves and seeds must not be eaten casually, and households growing it should prevent children and pets from ingesting it by mistake. Its medicinal value lies mainly in the taxol extracted from its branches, leaves and bark; for home cultivation, it is enough to grow it mainly for ornament and greenery.