Family
Taxaceae
Description
A popular cultivar of the hybrid Taxus × media, ‘Hicksii’ is a dense, upright yew prized for its versatility in hedging and formal landscape design. This evergreen shrub features dark green needle-like foliage and a naturally columnar habit that responds well to shearing. It’s favored for its tolerance of heavy pruning, shade, and urban conditions. Female plants may produce small red arils (fleshy seed coverings), which are attractive to birds but toxic if ingested by humans or pets.
‘Hicksii’ yew is widely used as a low-maintenance alternative to boxwood in mixed borders or as a tall screen. Though slow-growing, it is long-lived and adaptable to a variety of well-drained soils, provided excess moisture is avoided.
