Evergreen Shrub – Harrington’s Plum Yew

Harrington’s Plum Yew 

Botanical name: cephalotaxus harringtonia 

Beginner friendly?: yes 

Average size at maturity: up to 30 ft in height with a spread of up to 15 ft 

Hardy zone: zones 6-9 

Growth rate: grows less than 6 inches per year 

Foliage color: green 

Pruning instructions: prune in the late winter/early spring to maintain desired shade and size 

Propagation methods: propagate with cuttings in the fall or winter months 

Landscape use: privacy, hedge 

Special features: shade tolerant, deer resistant, drought tolerant 

Light needs: no more than 4 hours of sun per day 

Watering instructions: allow the top 2-4 inches of soil to dry out between watering sessions 

Fertilizing instructions : use a slow-release fertilizer once a year in the early spring 

Best time to plant: summer, spring, fall 

Best type of soil:  loam, sand 

Companion plants: japanese maples, japanese forest grass, azaleas, magnolias 

Toxicity level: toxic to humans and pets if ingested 

Invasive species: no