Taxus media Hicksii - Yew

The Taxus (x) media Hicksii is a horticultural hybrid yew, particularly interesting for creating a narrow hedge of medium height, adding structure to a garden, or being shaped into a topiary. This evergreen conifer, particularly architectural with its columnar and dense habit, has a fairly rapid growth, and its beautiful red fruit on soft dark green foliage are an added bonus. Hardy, adaptable to different soils and climates, and is ideal for any garden. It is also often worked as a bonsai.

Yews are commonly found in old European gardens and parks. These trees are known for their slow growth and long life, sometimes lasting over a hundred years. Taxus (x) media is a hybrid of the common yew and Japanese yew, which can grow faster and tolerate shade and drought. All of these plants are part of the Taxodiaceae family, along with cryptomerias and metasequoias.

'Hicksii' is a plant that grows fairly rapidly but does not exceed 2 to 3 metres (6 ft 7 in - 9 ft 10 in) in height and 1 metre ft 4 in) in width. Initially, it has a very columnar habit which becomes more conical as it ages, but it remains very narrow. Its branches are multiple, long and upright, which allows for a fairly dense network that does not become bare at the base. The plant is covered with veined spines of a beautiful dark green, shiny, tapered at the pointed tip but soft to the touch, and is adorned with a thick and regular evergreen coat. As such, it brings a presence throughout the seasons and creates structure in a garden. It is important to note that this tree is dioecious, which means that each tree bears male or female flowers. Thus, the red berries, which are very ornamental, only appear after discreet flowering on female plants.

Yews are versatile plants that can help shape and decorate outdoor spaces. Hicksii is a type of hybrid yew that can thrive in any garden, regardless of its size or location in the country. This variety can be grown in various styles, including strict, whimsical, or poetic. It is also very hardy and can tolerate any soil type, whether ordinary, slightly acidic, chalky, moist, or dry. Hicksii can serve as an excellent windbreak or be planted alongside other evergreen shrubs like Eleagnus, Cotoneaster, Chamaecyparis, small junipers, Photinia, and Prunus lusitanica. To keep Hicksii looking neat, it only needs to be pruned twice a year, and it can regenerate even after severe pruning. Hicksii is ideal for sunny and shady areas, and it can even be grown in containers if you want to keep it close to your entrances.

Yew trees are often seen in cemeteries or near churches because they symbolise the connection between heaven and earth. They are also planted in these areas to prevent animals from eating them. This is because the yew tree's needles, bark, and fruits are poisonous to humans and animals, except for birds, who can eat the berries and not the seeds.