The Shade-Loving Evergreen You Need for Winter Interest

Also known as the Hicksii Yew, the Hicks Yew is one of the best evergreens to plant for those looking for some flair during the colder months. Its dense, green foliage stays dark green year-round for long-lasting visual appeal. In spring, new shoots emerge vibrant green, gradually darkening as they mature. This variety also produces brilliant red berries that emerge in early to late fall, and its fine, flat needles create a softer texture and fern-like branches.

Most people love to use the Hicks Yew for hedges as privacy screens or wind protection. It gets large, spanning up to 12 ft high and 4 ft wide, and serves perfectly as a vertical accent, topiary or backdrop to lower-growing plants, as well as in mass plantings.

Without a doubt, the Hicks Yew is one tough shrub. It's a rare evergreen that grows well in the shade for gardens without very much sun. Low-maintenance, the Hicks Yew is extremely tolerant of urban pollution, disease, and insects. In fact, in the right conditions, it can live up to 50 years!

If you're looking for a bold evergreen that keeps your garden looking good during all four seasons, be sure to try out the Hicks Yew. Place your order today!

Planting & Care

1. Planting: The Hicks Yew grows well in a wide range of soil types that have a neutral pH balance. Pick a planting location that is well-draining because the shrub does not tolerate an overly wet root system. And choose a planting site in full sunlight or partial shade (4 to 8 hours of sunlight per day).

Dig a hole that is twice the size of the shrub’s root ball. Place the shrub into the hole and gently spread out its roots. Make sure the root crown is level with the soil surface so the roots can pull oxygen in. Mix ample organic material into the soil and pack it around the roots so no air pockets remain.

Finally, spread a three-inch layer of mulch such as pine needles, bark chips, recycled plastic chunks, or peat moss around the base of the shrub to keep the soil moist and slow weed growth.

2. Watering: Water the Hicks Yew at least once a week. Keep the soil around it moist but not overly wet for best growth. Generally, you should check the soil about 2 inches down for dryness.

3. Fertilizing: Apply a water-soluble 10-10-10 plant fertilizer formula in the spring, once a month, to feed the Hicks Yew. Sprinkle it at least four inches from the shrub’s trunk, and follow the instructions on the fertilizer’s label for application ratios. Water the shrub thoroughly after applying the fertilizer.

4. Pruning: Prune the Hicks Yew during the late winter months when the shrub is dormant. Avoid removing more than one-third of the shrub’s limbs when pruning. Lightly shearing the shrub will encourage it to grow denser.