Northwest Blooms · Shrubs
Taxus baccata 'Fastigiata Aurea'
Golden Irish Yew
- Family
- Taxaceae
- Height
- 16 feet in 20 years
- Width
- 5 feet in 20 years
- Flower color
- Inconspicuous; male and female flowers appear on separate plants
- Foliage color
- Dark green with golden yellow tips, giving a warm gold appearance
- Bloom time
- Not primarily grown for flowers
- Light
- Tolerates full sun to partial shade
- Water
- Low
- Maintenance
- Low, slow-growing; responds well to pruning and shaping
- Growing zone
- USDA zones 6 to 9
- Wildlife
- Red berries (on female plants) attract birds, although the plant is toxic to mammals and humans
About this plant
Taxus baccata 'Fastigiata Aurea' is a distinctive evergreen conifer celebrated for its columnar growth habit and vibrant foliage. Its needle-like leaves are a bright yellow-green, with new growth appearing especially vivid. This coloration is most prominent when grown in full sun, adding a year-round visual highlight to the landscape. Though primarily grown for its foliage, the plant may produce small, inconspicuous flowers in spring, followed by fleshy red arils on female specimens.
This cultivar originates from selections of the European yew and has been cherished in gardens for centuries due to its ornamental value and adaptability. Ideal for creating vertical accents or hedging, Taxus baccata 'Fastigiata Aurea' is a favorite in formal garden designs and as a structural element in mixed borders. Its enduring appeal lies in its vibrant color, elegant shape, and ability to thrive in a wide range of conditions.
Companion plants
Thyme · Switch grasses · Catmint · Penstemons · Coreopsis · Blanket flower
Design tip
Create vertical rhythm by repeating Golden Irish Yew at intervals through a long planting. Its narrow columnar form draws the eye upward without occupying much horizontal space, while golden-tipped foliage keeps the repeated accents visible throughout the year.
