Topiary
Taxus baccata
Yew topiary
The finest material for topiary. Dense, dark and velvety, Taxus baccata holds crisp shapes beautifully and brings instant structure and timeless elegance to any garden.
Evergreen, with a dense, fine texture
Holds sharp, precise shapes
Long-lived and slow-growing, so easy to keep in shape
Thrives in sun or shade
Please check before you visit. Our nursery is very well stocked, but what we hold changes with the seasons, so this plant may not always be in stock. Enquire before you head over and we will check availability and the sizes we have for you.
At a glance
Type
Topiary
Foliage
Evergreen
Shapes
Domes, balls, cones, cubes, pyramids, spirals and bespoke forms
Growth rate
Slow to moderate
Position
Full sun to full shade
Soil
Any well-drained soil, including chalk; avoid waterlogging
Pots or ground
Both, with regular watering in containers
Hardiness
Fully hardy in the UK
Available
Individually shaped pieces in a range of sizes. Ask our team for current shapes and pricing.
Why we love it
Yew is the topiarist’s favourite for good reason. Its small, dense needles create a smooth, velvety surface that holds every line and curve.
Slow-growing and long-lived, a well-shaped yew topiary gives instant maturity and will grow in character for decades.
How to use it
Use yew topiary to punctuate borders, frame entrances, line paths or create rhythm through a garden. Domes and balls soften planting schemes, while cones and pyramids add vertical drama.
Planting and aftercare
Plant from autumn to spring into well-drained soil, or into large containers with good drainage. Water well through the first summer and in dry spells. Clip once a year in late summer.
See it in person
Every plant at Form is hand-selected, none contains new peat, and nothing beats choosing yours by eye. Visit our Row Town showroom in Surrey, just 30 minutes from London, where our team will show you the best of what is on the nursery right now. We deliver across London, Surrey and the Home Counties, and nationwide.
Walk in any time during opening hours and you will be looked after. If you would like dedicated time with a specialist, book a Genus Bar appointment.
Frequently asked questions
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Once a year in late summer keeps most yew topiary crisp. Very precise shapes may benefit from a second light trim.
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Yes. Most parts of yew are toxic if eaten, so take care around children and animals and always clear up clippings.
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We keep a very well-stocked nursery, but our stock changes with the seasons, so availability varies. Please email us before you visit and we will check what we have and the sizes available.
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Yes, and we recommend it. Every piece of topiary is hand-shaped, so no two are quite the same. Visit our Row Town showroom in Surrey to choose your pieces by eye. Walk in any time during opening hours, or book a Genus Bar appointment with one of our specialists.
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Yes, we deliver nationwide. Deliveries are arranged by our dedicated in-house operations team, and larger pieces can be offloaded by HI-AB or Moffett where needed.
All our topiary
Explore every option in our topiary collection, or view them all with photographs →
Taxus baccata
Can’t see what you’re looking for?
Get in touch and we’ll help you find it. Our nursery is very well stocked and we can source almost any plant through our network of trusted growers. Email info@formplants.com, or send us your whole plant list through our bespoke sourcing service.