TREE AND SHRUBSLeaf it to me

Japanese Plum Yew – Cephalotaxus Harringtonia ‘Prostrata’

Remarkably Deer-Resistant Evergreen

Every home needs foundation plants – usually a combination of evergreens, deciduous shrubs and small trees. Evergreens offer year-round color and a beautiful backdrop for more seasonal plantings. For some folks with shade and persistent deer problems, finding a low-growing evergreen can be very difficult. This week we are featuring one that will solve this problem – a low-growing form of the Japanese Plum Yew – Cephalotaxus harringtonia ‘Prostrata’.

Award Winning Addition to Your Garden

While the regular Cephalotaxus is a tree, the prostrate form of the Plum Yew is the winner of both the Georgia and Pennsylvania Horticultural Society Gold Medals, primarily because of its neat compact habit. Because demand always exceeds supply and because prostrate Cephalotaxus is difficult to propagate and slow growing, it is always scarce and hard to find. We are thrilled to be able to offer it to our customers this coming spring.

Native to Japan, Korea and eastern China, Prostrate Plum Yew is a low-growing evergreen that prefers light to moderate shade and is extremely deer-resistant. (Do not confuse with regular yews which deer love and which cannot be grown south of Zone 7). It will mature at about three feet tall and about four to five feet wide. Prostrate Plum Yew is a slow grower (about four inches per year) and should require little pruning – although it can be easily pruned in early spring before the new growth begins. Year-round, cephalotaxus has glossy, deep green needles borne on slightly arching branches, which give it a graceful appearance.

Cephalotaxus will grow in full sun, although the needle color will be lighter green. As with many evergreens, cold winter wind and strong winter sun will cause temporary bronzing of the foliage. Its texture and neat habit will make a grouping the focal point in your garden, especially at the edge of a woodland, surrounding a patio, along a walkway or as part of a foundation planting.

Planting and Care

• Plant in compost-enriched, moisture-retentive, well-drained soil. Good drainage is important.
• Once established, Cephalotaxus is quite drought tolerant.
• Space five feet apart
• Fertilize with Cottonseed Meal and Kelp Meal in early spring and late fall
• Hardy in Zones 6-9

Click here to view
Cephalotaxus harringtonia ‘Prostrata’ on the Carroll Gardens website.

About the Author

Alan Summers, president of Carroll Gardens, Inc., has over 30 years experience in gardening and landscape design. He has made Carroll Gardens one of America’s preeminent nurseries, having introduced more than 20 new perennials and woody shrubs over the years and reintroduced numerous “lost” cultivars back to American gardeners.

Carroll Gardens publishes a weekly online newsletter written by Alan. It contains valuable gardening advice and tips and answers to customer questions. Click here to sign up for the Carroll Gardens weekly enewsletter.

Every Saturday, Alan hosts a call-in gardening forum on WCBM radio – 680 AM. For those outside of the WCBM listening area, they can listen to radio show via the internet.

Visit CarrollGardens.com to learn more.