The Chinese yew (Taxus Chinensis) was discovered in the '80s in China by Augustine Henry. Over the years, it has been serving as an attractive evergreen in most landscapes. The Chinese yew is both an evergreen and coniferous tree, a combination you rarely find. It bears red fruits that are berries-like. 

The fruits and needles are poisonous to both humans and dogs. It's important not to grow it in yards with young children's access. Consuming these fruits is also not advised. However, the fruits are an attraction to birds like hummingbirds. Most gardeners that enjoy watching birds will enjoy growing this yew in their gardens. Generally, all yews seem to have narrow needle-like evergreen leaves that are an inch long. The leaves are arranged like spirals on green twigs.

This plant will grow as a tree or as a shrub to form a dwarf habit, up to 10 feet high, and people confuse it for hemlock. However, it grows with a height of 60 feet when grown in the wild. Mostly grown for its evergreen foliage, this plant can also be used for other medicinal and construction purposes.  

There are other varieties of Chinese yew that are grown for their evergreen foliage. Chinese plum yew (Cephalotaxus fortunei) is an example. However, it's not a true yew. It naturally grows as a shrub or small tree, like the Chinese yew, up to 10 feet high.

It's an evergreen that prefers partial to full shade than the Chinese yew, which prefers full sun. Both varieties have different USA growing zones. Chinese plum yew grows in zones 7 to 9, while Chinese yew is suitable for zones 5 to 7. Cephalotaxus fortunei is a less versatile yew that is also used as a hedge plant. Other variety examples include:

It's a medium-sized evergreen that grows 12 to 20 feet high and 6 to 10 feet wide with a columnar shape. Older forms of this cultivar can be grown into a substantial shrub or tree of up to 30 feet high or more Grown in zones 5 to 8. It produces needle-like leaves arranged like twigs and a reddish-brown, never straight trunk hidden by its foliage. Typically, they have deeper green foliage compared to other yews. It's a slow-growing plant whose medium growth rate can be increased by pruning. Annual pruning increases the root to shoot ratio. 

This Japanese yew grows up to 3 feet high and wide. It produces bright yellow foliage in spring which turns green in summer when it fully matures. This plant has growing zones of 4 to 7—grown best in well-draining soil and partial shade with full sun. 

The English yew does well in warmer temperatures, in the shade. When grown in the shade, it doesn't grow to be dense. This cultivar has a simple columnar shape and grows in zones 6 to 7. Only the female version of this yew bears red fruits. It grows up to 15 to 30 feet high and 4 to 8 feet wide to form a shrub. 

Chinese yew is an easy-to-grow plant that tolerates any amount of sunlight it receives as long it's in some partial shade. It's drought-tolerant, so it will not stress you over constant watering. The roots are susceptible to fungal infections if exposed to soggy soil conditions. Grow it in loamy or sandy soil with neutral acidity. Good drainage for the soil is vital. 

Chinese yew can tolerate all soil types that have excellent drainage. It, however, thrives more in rich loamy or sandy soil that has a neutral ph. Putting the plant in soggy soil will result in root rot.

These plants do well in full sun with partial shade. Sometimes, they will tolerate full shade. With a spot that receives six or more hours of direct sunlight and a partial shade of 2-6 hours a day, then you're sure to have a healthy-looking plant.     

Yews cannot tolerate soggy soil. Instead, they will tolerate drought conditions. Grow them in moderate soil moisture during the first growing year.

Choose a spot that is less windy for the yews. They cannot handle strong winter winds. With varying growing zones, they do not withstand extreme hot or cold temperatures. They can survive even in extremely hot or humid weather.

They are generally low-maintenance plants that do not require regular fertilization. You can enrich the soil either by mulching, compost, or using high nitrogen fertilizer. Apply some fertilizer into the soil a foot from the tree trunk to the edges of the branches. Alternatively, apply a half-inch layer of mulch or compost a foot away from the tree trunk to the outer edges of branches where rain waterfalls. Early spring is the best time to do this, after planting.

Chinese yew responds well to pruning. It needs to be trimmed to promote new growth. The yew's desired shape is achieved through pruning. Young yews grow straight without side branching. Cutting them back is recommended for aggressive back budding. Occasionally when you notice large leaves, remove them. Make smooth cuttings for a quick regrowth.

Propagation for this plant has increased to meet the demand. Turning this plant into multiple plants can be achieved through cuttings. Yew roots best from semi-hardwood or hardwood cuttings. They also root best when collected and potted during the dormant autumn season. Use sterile tools, pots, and growing mediums to avoid fungal or bacterial infections in the cutting. Fill your pot with a combination of peat and perlite as a growing medium. 

Get your cuttings around 8 to 10 inches back from the tip of the stem. Ideal cuttings should have healthy foliage, no fruit or flowers, and a 1/4 inch stem. Do not use damaged or disease-infested stems. Prepare the cuttings by removing the needle-like leaves on the bottom half of the stem. Then dip it in rooting hormone talc. Create a planting hole deep enough to hold the bottom half of the cutting. Put the cutting in the hole and push the growing medium against the stem. Lightly water it around the base. 

Make sure the cuttings receive some excellent light and temperatures of about 75 degrees Fahrenheit during the day. Warmth, moisture, and light are essential for the rooting system. If they are well taken care of, yew cuttings will root in about two to three months. After rooting, transplant them in a nursery pot filled with soil after a month of rooting. 

Since they are slow to produce roots, they should be grown under some good shade for one year before planting them in the landscape. Partial shade helps produce a robust root system. Regular watering and misting are required, especially in hot, dry weather. Make sure they are exposed to full sun for two to three weeks.

Chinese yew doesn't have severe pests and disease issues. Apart from fungal diseases caused by waterlogging, leaf bright can be a problem. It also tends to have walnut root-lesion nematode issues. They are also susceptible to root rot in soil with poor drainage. This yew is mostly not infested by pests.

Well-draining soil is excellent for these yews. They are prone to fungal infections if exposed to soggy soil conditions. Expect to water occasionally. Provide full sun of 6 hours or more in a day and partial shade of around 2 to 6 hours. Annual pruning will promote new growth and bring the plant into the desired shape. 

Once a year, apply high nitrogen fertilizer into the soil for an aggressive growth shoot in spring. Alternatively, you may apply some mulch or compost. It's best done a foot from the tree trunk to the edges of the branches where rainwater drips.

In China's native country, this yew is used for furniture making, construction, and wood carving. It has also been medically used-Its stem, and bark is harvested for cancer treatment. Due to its demand for treating cancer, propagation has increased to meet commercial demand. Chinese yew is known to attract songbirds for its evergreen foliage and attractive bark. It also comes in a variety of shapes, colors, and sizes. 

Create winter interest in your garden all year round by growing Chinese yew. A mature Chinese yew is best suited as a foundation plant. To attain a shrub-like shape, prune it. It only reaches up to 10 feet high in the garden, after ten years compared to the wild, where it grows up to 60 feet high. Additionally, it can be used as a specimen or hedge plant.