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Key characteristics

Family: Cephalotaxaceae
Height: 12 to 24 inches
Width: 4 to 6 feet
Flower color: Small yellow green pollen cones on male plants with inconspicuous flowers
Foliage color: Dark green soft needle like leaves arranged in two ranks along arching stems
Bloom time: Late winter to early spring
Light: Partial shade to full shade
Water: Average
Maintenance: Low; prune lightly in spring to shape plants and remove damaged or wandering stems
Growing zone: USDA zones 6 to 9
Wildlife: Birds that feed on the plum like seeds produced on female plants

Shrubs

Cephalotaxus harringtonii 'Prostrata'

Spreading Japanese Plum Yew

Cephalotaxus harringtonii 'Prostrata' forms spreading branches covered with soft, linear needles arranged in neat ranks along the stems. The deep green foliage has a fine texture and remains colorful throughout the year, creating a graceful, layered appearance. In spring, small pollen-bearing cones appear along the stems, followed later by olive-shaped, plum-like seeds that mature with a purplish coating.

This cultivated selection traces its origin to Cephalotaxus harringtonii native to Japan and parts of eastern Asia.

Light

Partial shade to full shade

Water

Average

Bloom time

Late winter to early spring

Find this plant

Works well in

Shade Gardens
Woodland Gardens
Under Trees
Foundation Plantings

Companion plants

Mahonias · Astilbe · Heucheras · Maidenhair fern · Corydalis · Lily-of-the-valley

Design tip

A low, spreading evergreen can visually settle the base of taller shrubs and trees without adding another bulky layer. Its arching branches also work beautifully along a shaded path or woodland edge, creating a soft transition between planted areas and open garden space.