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The Dark Green Spreader is a compact, dense evergreen shrub with rich dark-green needle-like foliage, spreading habit (wider than tall), and slow growth. Excellent as a foundation planting, low hedge or massing shrub. Tolerates a range of soils and light conditions, performs well in shady locations, and maintains year-round color.
Dark Green Spreader Care Guide & Presentation
This cultivar is quite adaptable: it accepts full sun, part sun/part shade, and even more shaded spots. However, in very hot climates, some afternoon shade may help avoid stress. Dense foliage tends to stay healthiest with at least some direct light, but shade tolerance is high.
Soil must be well-drained. Standing water or soggy soils will lead to root issues.
This shrub is hardy and tolerant of typical outdoor humidity levels. Indoor use is rare. Good air circulation is more important than tweaking humidity. Avoid placing it where hot, dry indoor air or stagnant humid conditions restrict airflow around the dense foliage.
Can tolerate very cold winter temperatures (USDA zones to at least zone 4, meaning well below -20 °F/-29 °C). Less tolerant of extreme heat combined with poor drainage; prefers moderate summer conditions.
Adapted to cooler climates; capable of surviving cold winters in zone 4. In warmer zones, heat plus poor drainage or intense sun may cause stress or decline. Choose a protected location for best performance in marginal zones.
Once annually (spring) for outdoor plants; every 6 months at half strength for container plants during growing season. Use a balanced, slow-release fertilizer or organic compost in spring. Avoid over-fertilizing, which can reduce the intensity of foliage color.
Every 2–3 years or when rootbound. Use a slightly larger pot with well-draining soil. Repot in early spring before active growth resumes.
Remove any dead or damaged twigs or interior foliage to promote airflow and reduce pest/disease risk. Clear away fallen needles and debris from around the plant base to prevent moisture buildup.
Take semi-hardwood cuttings (late spring to early summer) from healthy growth, remove lower leaves, optionally use rooting hormone, and plant in a moist, well-drained medium under humid conditions until rooted
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Dark Green Spreader: Overview
The Dark Green Spreader Yew (Taxus × media Dark Green Spreader) is a compact evergreen shrub with deep green, flat, and soft needles. Also known as the Hybrid, Foundation, or Anglo-Japanese Yew, this plant grows slowly and has a spreading habit, growing in width rather than height. When mature, the Taxus Dark Green Spreader may produce coral red berries, which aren’t edible but look gorgeously ornamental.
This beautiful evergreen belongs to the Taxus plant family (Taxaceae). The Yew Dark Green Spreader is a hybrid of the European Yew and Japanese spreading yew varieties. Cold-hardy and resilient to frost, this plant is best adapted for cooler hardiness zones 4–8 and may experience stress from excessive heat in warmer climates. Other than that, the Taxus Yew is exceptionally low-maintenance and easy to grow. Unfortunately, the Yew is toxic to pets and should be kept out of their reach.
Yew trees traditionally symbolize eternity, longevity, rebirth, and life after death.
Yew Tree: Benefits
- Attractive and resilient evergreen foliage
- Easy to care for
- Removes toxins from the air
- Ideal compact size for hedges or container gardening
- Adapts well to shade
Dark Green Spreader Yew: Care Guide
Yew tree care is easy, as this evergreen doesn’t require a lot of maintenance and adapts well to various growing conditions. Here’s what you need to know to help your Spreading Yew flourish:
Watering and Humidity
Water your Taxus Yew tree when the top 2 inches of soil are dry. It appreciates moist soil, but soggy soil can lead to root rot. Taxus plants do well in average humidity. Keep it in a location with good airflow.
Light and Temperature
The Taxus Yew shrub is very adaptable to various light conditions. It can grow in bright sunlight, but will also adapt to full shade or partial shade. Grows best in temperatures from 36°F to 80°F. This plant may suffer from heat during warm summers and should be kept away from heaters if grown as an indoor plant.
Soil, Feeding, and Repotting
The Green Spreader Yew is not particular about the type of soil as long as it drains well. If you’re growing your Yew plant in a pot, feed it every half a year with a balanced, slow-release fertilizer or organic compost. Repot your Taxus tree into a slightly larger pot when root-bound. It usually needs repotting once every 2 or 3 years.
Propagation
You can grow more Yew Taxus plants by taking stem cuttings in the spring and planting them in moist, well-draining soil. Take semi-hardwood cuttings and maintain the humidity high around the new plants.
Pruning and Common Problems
Prune your Taxus bush in the spring to maintain its shape. You can form it into a more conical or circular shape, or simply trim any damaged or dried branches to keep your plant looking neat.
Overwatering can be fatal for Taxus Media plants. Make sure that they’re never left sitting in waterlogged soil. Browning foliage after winter can be caused by severe frosts or fall pruning. Mealybugs and spider mites may attack this plant when the air circulation is poor.
Taxus x Media: Placement, Companion & Alternative Plants
The Taxus Media Dark Green Spreader is a striking evergreen with intense, deep green foliage. Its flexible branches and spreading habit make it highly suitable for landscape gardening. Also, its slow growth and compact height make this evergreen yew ideal for growing in pots outdoors.
Best Locations & Uses
- Gorgeous evergreen plant for patios and porches
- Excellent festive plant to place beside doorways or in entryways
- Perfect for homes without pets
- Amazing gift plant with powerful symbolic meanings
- Great for shaded gardens and low-light spaces
Companion Plants
Your Yew bush will contrast beautifully with holiday plants because of its deep green color:
- Blue Star Juniper (Juniperus squamata ‘Blue Star’): The silvery Blue Star Juniper is a gorgeous, low-maintenance evergreen, often used for hedges and rock gardens.
- Norfolk Island Pine (Araucaria heterophylla): With its sweeping, arched branches, the Norfolk Island Pine looks completely stunning and makes a wonderful alternative to a regular Christmas tree.
- European Cypress Christmas Tree (Cupressus sempervirens): The European Cypress Christmas Tree is an easy-care conifer with a classical conical shape.
Alternative Plants
These stunning evergreens will bring the freshness of the winter woods into your home or office:
- Fire Chief Arborvitae (Thuja occidentalis 'Congabe'): With its bright orange highlights, the Fire Chief Arborvitae is a colorful conifer that radiates festive fun.
- Dwarf Alberta Spruce (Picea glauca ‘Conica’): The lovely Dwarf Alberta Spruce sports feathery, soft branches with an enchanting woodland scent.
- Leyland Cypress Christmas Tree (Cuprocyparis leylandii): The charming Leyland Cypress Christmas Tree is an adorable potted festive tree that’s safe for your pets.
Order a Dark Green Spreader Yew From Lively Root
Add some winter cheer to your outdoor living spaces with a stunning Yew tree for sale from Lively Root!
