Stonehenge Yew (Taxus)
Best low-maintenance evergreen for gardeners seeking structured, shade-tolerant vertical accents.
Introducing the Stonehenge® Yew, a compact, columnar evergreen shrub designed to bring year-round structure to your landscape. Its naturally upright habit minimizes the need for pruning, maintaining a neat appearance effortlessly. Featuring lush, dark green foliage, this versatile shrub thrives in various settings, serving beautifully as a border, specimen, or container plant. It demonstrates remarkable tolerance for shade, performing well even in deep shade, while also adapting to sunnier locations. This low-maintenance plant offers enduring interest and definition to any garden space.
$24.99
Owner Satisfaction
4.7
/ 5
Category Rank
34
/ 2596
#34 in Bushes & Shrubs
Price vs Category Average
-37%
Below average
Botanical Name
Taxus x media 'SMNTHDC'
/ Taxus x media 'SMNTHDC'
Who it's for
- Gardeners needing vertical structure in narrow landscape spaces
- Homeowners managing low-light or shaded garden beds
- Busy gardeners seeking low-maintenance, long-lasting evergreen foliage
Who should skip it
- Parents and pet owners concerned about toxic plant ingestion
- Gardeners working with heavy, poorly draining clay soils
- Impatient landscapers wanting an immediate, mature privacy screen
Performance breakdown
Maintenance Ease
Naturally upright growth habit eliminates the need for frequent, tedious pruning.
Shade Adaptability
Thrives in deep shade where most other evergreens struggle to survive.
Structural Versatility
Perfectly suited for tight borders, formal specimens, or decorative container gardening.
Pest Resistance
Reliable rabbit resistance protects your landscape investment from common garden intruders.
Growth Rate
Slow development requires patience but ensures long-term structural stability and control.
Winter Performance
Lush, dark green foliage provides essential color during the dormant season.
Key Specs
Botanical Name
Taxus x media 'SMNTHDC'
Patent
USPP 31,795
USDA Hardiness Zones
4-7
Mature Height
10 feet
Mature Width
4 feet
Foliage Color
Green
Sun Exposure
Full Sun to Full Shade
Growth Rate
Slow
Features
- Space-saving columnar habit
- Requires minimal pruning
- Lush, dark green evergreen foliage
- Highly versatile for various uses
- Tolerates deep shade
- Offers winter interest
- Rabbit resistant
- Low maintenance
What customers say
Customers highly value the Stonehenge Yew for its exceptional quality and inherent structural reliability. The plant’s naturally narrow columnar habit is a major benefit, perfectly suiting modern landscapes needing vertical accents or tight screening without constant trimming. Reviewers confirm the dense, deep green foliage retains its color well, even through cold winters, demonstrating advertised hardiness. While the initial cost is sometimes higher than standard varieties, buyers justify the premium by citing the cultivar’s dependable performance and minimal maintenance needs due to its slow, controlled growth. This evergreen is viewed as a superior, high performing solution, strongly recommended for foundation plantings and formal gardens where long term structure and low fuss are essential priorities.
Know before you buy
Very little. Because of its naturally compact, columnar habit, it maintains a tidy shape on its own and rarely needs trimming to look its best.
Yes. This yew is exceptionally shade-tolerant and will perform well even in deep shade, though it is also adaptable enough to thrive in full sun.
This variety is noted for being rabbit resistant, which makes it a reliable choice for gardens where small wildlife is a concern.
Absolutely. Its narrow, upright form and slow growth rate make it an excellent candidate for large decorative containers, provided they have good drainage.
You can expect it to reach about 10 feet in height and 4 feet in width. Keep in mind that it is a slow grower, so it will take time to reach those dimensions.
Yes, it is an evergreen shrub. It will retain its lush, dark green foliage throughout the winter, providing consistent structure and color to your landscape year-round.
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$25