The genus Cephalotaxus includes evergreen, coniferous shrubs and small trees grown for foliage that resembles yews. Female plants also have small, plum-like fruit when planted near a male pollinator. Plum yews are especially useful because they grow in shade. Plant as hedging, in foundation plantings, or as specimens.
Noteworthy CharacteristicsEvergreen. Grows well in shade. Some are distasteful to deer.
CareChoose a sheltered site with fertile, moist but well-drained soil in partial shade. They can take full sun in cool, damp areas.
PropagationStart seeds in a cold frame in fall or spring (after stratifying them). Or, take greenwood or semi-ripe cuttings of terminal shoots in summer or fall.
ProblemsInfrequent.
