Upright Japanese Plum Yew
Best low-maintenance evergreen for gardeners seeking deer-resistant vertical privacy.
The Upright Japanese Plum Yew, a cultivar named 'Fastigiata', offers a striking, slow-growing evergreen presence for your landscape. Its dense, columnar form and rich, dark green needle-like foliage provide year-round texture and visual interest. Ideal for foundation plantings or as a formal hedge alternative, this shrub thrives in partial shade and is resistant to deer. Reaching a mature height of 8 to 10 feet and spreading 4 to 6 feet wide, it's a low-maintenance choice that adds elegant verticality to any garden setting.
$129.00
Owner Satisfaction
4.7
/ 5
Category Rank
34
/ 2688
#34 in Bushes & Shrubs
Price vs Category Average
+227%
Above average
Height
810
/ to feet
Who it's for
- Gardeners needing vertical structure in narrow landscape spaces
- Homeowners seeking low-maintenance plants for varied light conditions
- Landscapers looking for refined, year-round foliage contrast
Who should skip it
- Gardeners wanting immediate privacy or rapid screening results
- Homeowners with heavy clay soil or poor drainage
- Families with curious pets or small children
Performance breakdown
Architectural Impact
The tight, columnar silhouette creates an immediate, sophisticated vertical focal point.
Maintenance Ease
Slow growth habits mean minimal pruning is required to maintain shape.
Deer Resistance
Reliably avoids browsing damage in areas where deer pressure is high.
Shade Adaptability
Thrives in partial shade where many other evergreen shrubs struggle.
Year-Round Interest
Dense, dark foliage provides consistent color and texture throughout every season.
Hedge Utility
Forms a clean, formal barrier without the constant shearing of boxwoods.
Key Specs
Height
8 to 10 feet
Spread
4 to 6 feet
Growth Rate
Slow
Foliage Type
Evergreen
Soil Type
Well-Drained, Acidic
Sunlight Exposure
Partial Shade
Deer Resistant
Yes
Plant Form
Columnar
Features
- Slow-growing evergreen shrub
- Dense, columnar shape
- Dark green, needle-like foliage
- Provides year-round texture
- Deer resistant
- Ideal for hedges
- Thrives in partial shade
- Low-maintenance
What customers say
Customers are highly satisfied with the quality of the Upright Japanese Plum Yew. Reviews consistently highlight the excellent condition and robust size of the plants upon arrival, often noting superior packaging that prevents damage during transit. The plant's reliable hardiness and attractive upright design make it a favorite for foundational landscaping. Buyers feel confident in its long term performance, confirming its premium status and ease of integration into garden plans.
Know before you buy
Since the Upright Japanese Plum Yew reaches a mature width of 4 to 6 feet, you should space them approximately 3 to 4 feet apart on center to achieve a dense, continuous hedge effect.
This cultivar performs best in partial shade. While it can tolerate some sun, intense afternoon heat may scorch the foliage, and deep shade may cause the plant to lose its dense, columnar structure.
Yes, this plant is considered deer resistant. While no plant is entirely deer-proof, the texture and chemistry of the Plum Yew foliage are generally unappealing to deer, making it a reliable choice for landscapes prone to browsing.
As a slow-growing evergreen, it adds only a few inches of height per year, which makes it very low-maintenance. You generally will not need to prune it unless you want to maintain a specific, strict formal shape.
It thrives in well-drained, acidic soil. If your garden soil is heavy clay or highly alkaline, you may need to amend the planting site with organic matter or peat moss to ensure proper drainage and the correct pH balance.
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Ready to buy?
$129