Plant, Tree & Shrub Library

Other Names:  Dwarf Golden Japanese Yew

Description:

A dwarf evergreen shrub featuring beautiful golden foliage in spring which fades to green; very compact form, ideal for a color accent in the home garden or rock garden, color is best with some shade

Ornamental Features

Nana Aurescens Yew is a dwarf conifer which is primarily valued in the garden for its ornamental globe-shaped form. It has attractive lime green evergreen foliage which emerges yellow in spring. The ferny sprays of foliage are highly ornamental and remain lime green throughout the winter.

Landscape Attributes

Nana Aurescens Yew is a dense multi-stemmed evergreen shrub with a more or less rounded form. Its relatively fine texture sets it apart from other landscape plants with less refined foliage.

This is a high maintenance shrub that will require regular care and upkeep, and can be pruned at anytime. It has no significant negative characteristics.

Nana Aurescens Yew is recommended for the following landscape applications;

• Mass Planting
• Hedges/Screening
• General Garden Use
• Topiary

Planting & Growing

Nana Aurescens Yew will grow to be about 3 feet tall at maturity, with a spread of 5 feet. It tends to fill out right to the ground and therefore doesn't necessarily require facer plants in front. It grows at a slow rate, and under ideal conditions can be expected to live for 50 years or more.

This shrub performs well in both full sun and full shade. It does best in average to evenly moist conditions, but will not tolerate standing water. It is not particular as to soil type or pH. It is highly tolerant of urban pollution and will even thrive in inner city environments, and will benefit from being planted in a relatively sheltered location. Consider applying a thick mulch around the root zone in winter to protect it in exposed locations or colder microclimates. This is a selected variety of a species not originally from North America, and parts of it are known to be toxic to humans and animals, so care should be exercised in planting it around children and pets.