Golden Irish Yew Taxus baccata 'Dovastonii Aurea' (m or f/v)
ABOUT
The Taxus baccata 'Dovastonii Aurea', commonly known as the English Yew, is a visually striking plant with its distinctive foliage and coloration. The unique characteristic of this particular variety is its golden-tipped leaves, which set it apart from the more common green English Yew. These golden edges provide a vibrant contrast to the darker green tones present in the rest of the needle-like foliage. This variety of English Yew is adorned with needles that have a soft and somewhat bending texture. The foliage as a whole tends to take on a lush, layered appearance, with branches that may arch gracefully. The needles are arranged spirally on the stem, which makes for a dense and ornate look, creating a rich tapestry of color and texture. During different seasons, the plant also displays subtle changes in color, with the golden hues becoming more pronounced at certain times of the year. This seasonal variation adds an additional dimension to the plant's appearance. The English Yew also produces red, berry-like structures that add a pop of color against the foliage. These are not true berries but rather cup-shaped structures with a single seed encased within. They are aesthetically appealing and contrast vividly with the leaves but are typically hidden beneath the dense foliage. Overall, the Taxus baccata 'Dovastonii Aurea' is a plant that exudes elegance through its graceful form and variegated leaves, making it a desirable choice for garden enthusiasts looking for year-round visual interest.
About this plant
NamesFamily
Taxaceae.
Synonyms
Dovaston's Yew, Dovaston's Variegated Yew, Golden Yew, Variegated Irish Yew, Variegated English Yew.
Common names
Taxus baccata 'Aurea Dovastoniana'.
ToxicityTo humans
The plant commonly known as English yew is highly toxic to humans. All parts of the plant contain taxane alkaloids, with the exception of the red aril surrounding the seed, and can cause severe poisoning. Symptoms of English yew poisoning can include dizziness, dry mouth, dilated pupils, abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, and in severe cases can lead to life-threatening changes in heart rate and blood pressure, muscle tremors, convulsions, collapse, and even death due to cardiac arrest.
To pets
English yew is also highly toxic to pets. Ingesting any part of the plant, except for the red aril, can lead to poisoning. Symptoms in pets may be similar to those in humans and can include trembling, incoordination, difficulty breathing, gastrointestinal upset, heart problems, and potentially leading to coma or death if not treated promptly. It is particularly dangerous for animals due to its potency and the possibility of rapid onset of symptoms.
CharacteristicsLife cycle
Perennials
Foliage type
Evergreen
Color of leaves
Variegated
Height
10-15 feet (3-4.5 meters)
Spread
10-15 feet (3-4.5 meters)
Plant type
Shrub
Hardiness zones
6-7
Native area
Europe
Benefits
General Benefits- Aesthetic Appeal: Adds unique visual interest to gardens with its golden-yellow foliage.
- Year-Round Interest: Evergreen nature ensures presence of color and form throughout all seasons.
- Versatility in Landscaping: Can be used in a variety of landscape designs including hedges, foundations, and specimen plantings.
- Wildlife Habitat: Provides shelter and breeding sites for birds, as well as food for certain wildlife species.
- Drought Tolerance: Once established, exhibits a degree of tolerance to drought conditions.
- Low Maintenance: Requires minimal pruning and is generally pest and disease resistant, thus reducing the need for chemical treatments.
- Cultural Significance: Often associated with history and tradition, it can lend a classic or ancient ambiance to garden spaces.
- Privacy Screen: With its dense growth habit, it can serve as an effective natural privacy barrier.
- Soil Stabilization: Its root system can help prevent soil erosion on slopes or in areas prone to erosion.
Medical Properties- This plant is not used for medical purposes.
Air-purifying QualitiesThis plant is not specifically known for air purifying qualities.
Other Uses- Topiary: With its dense growth and attractive golden foliage, yew trees can be shaped into elaborate topiaries for garden decoration.
- Furniture: The hard, fine-grained wood of the yew tree is used to make high-quality furniture that can last for centuries.
- Bow-making: Historically, yew wood was highly valued for making longbows, a powerful type of medieval European bow.
- Veneer: The decorative wood can be sliced into thin sheets and used as a veneer for paneling or cabinetry.
- Wood Turning: Woodturners appreciate yew for its workability and use it to craft artistic and functional items such as bowls or candlesticks.
- Garden Sculpture: Large branches or trunks can be carved into statues or garden features.
- Folklore & Symbolism: Yew is often planted in graveyards and is associated with immortality and the transcending of death in various cultures.
- Wildlife Habitat: Though the foliage is toxic to many animals, yew trees can provide shelter and nesting sites for birds.
- Soil Stabilization: Yew trees can help to prevent soil erosion due to their extensive root system.
- Photography Subject: The unique form and color of the 'Dovastonii Aurea' variety make it an interesting subject for nature photographers.
Interesting Facts
Feng ShuiThe English Yew is not used in Feng Shui practice.
Zodiac Sign CompitabilityThe English Yew is not used in astrology practice.
Plant Symbolism- Immortality: The Taxus baccata, commonly known as the yew tree, is often associated with eternal life due to its long lifespan and evergreen nature, representing the idea that life continues beyond physical existence.
- Death and Resurrection: Because of its toxic properties and its use in making weapons like longbows, the yew tree symbolizes death. However, its ability to regrow from cut branches also symbolizes resurrection and the cyclical nature of life.
- Protection: The yew tree was often planted in churchyards in Europe, where it was believed to protect the souls of the departed, symbolizing safety and shelter.
- Wisdom and Knowledge: The long life of the yew and its presence in historical settings such as ancient churches lends it an association with wisdom and the accumulation of knowledge over time.
- Solitude: The yew, growing tall and often in isolated spots like graveyards, can symbolize solitude or the need for introspection.
WaterThe Golden Yew should be watered thoroughly when the top inch of soil feels dry to the touch, which often amounts to about once a week during its growing season. Use a watering can or hose to apply water directly to the base of the plant, ensuring the root zone is moistened. The objective is to keep the soil evenly moist but not soggy, so adjust your watering frequency according to weather conditions such as rain or drought. Generally, about 1 to 2 gallons per week for a young or medium-sized Golden Yew should suffice, but larger mature specimens may require more water due to their extensive root systems.
LightThe Golden Yew thrives in a variety of light conditions, from full sun to partial shade. It performs best when it receives at least 4 to 6 hours of direct sunlight per day, but it can also tolerate shaded areas, particularly in hotter climates. Ideally, plant it in a spot that gets morning sunshine and afternoon shade to protect it from the intense late-day sun.
TemperatureGolden Yews are hardy and can tolerate a wide range of temperatures, from as low as -20 degrees Fahrenheit to upwards of 100 degrees Fahrenheit. They grow best in temperatures that are cool to moderate, typically between 50 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit. Sudden extreme cold or heat waves may stress the plant, so ensure it has adequate mulch to regulate soil temperature and moisture.
PruningPrune the Golden Yew to maintain shape and encourage dense growth, targeting late winter or early spring before new growth starts. This is also the time to remove any damaged or diseased branches. Pruning may be done annually, but the plant tolerates cutting back well, so it can be done more frequently if shaping is required or less often if a natural form is desired.
CleaningAs needed
SoilGolden Yew requires well-draining soil mixed with compost or peat moss to retain some moisture. The best soil mix for Golden Yew would include equal parts of loamy soil, peat or compost, and sharp sand to improve drainage. The ideal soil pH for Golden Yew should be slightly acidic to neutral, ranging from 6.0 to 7.0.
RepottingGolden Yew, being a slow-growing plant, typically does not require frequent repotting. It should be repotted once every 3 to 5 years to refresh the soil. When repotting, choose a container that is slightly larger than the current one to allow for growth.
Humidity & MistingGolden Yew thrives in outdoor conditions and does not require specific humidity levels to grow well. It is adaptable to the typical humidity levels found outdoors, making it easy to maintain without worrying about specific humidity requirements.
Suitable locationsIndoor
Place Golden Yew in bright, indirect light.
Outdoor
Plant in partial shade with well-draining soil.
Hardiness zone
6-8 USDA
Life cycleTaxus baccata 'Dovastonii Aurea', commonly known as the Golden Irish Yew (a coniferous plant with no clear sexual differentiation in common naming, but it is dioecious by nature), begins its life cycle as a seed, which germinates to produce a young sapling. The sapling grows gradually into a mature tree, characterized by a distinctive golden-yellow foliage on the margins of its leaves. As a dioecious plant, individual specimens may develop as male or female, with males producing pollen cones and females producing seed cones. Pollination occurs typically via wind, where pollen from the male cones fertilizes the female cones. After fertilization, the female cones develop into red, berry-like structures called arils, which contain the seeds. These arils are then dispersed by birds and other animals, which eat them and excrete the seeds, thereby completing the plant's life cycle and beginning a new generation.
PropogationPropogation time
Early Spring
Taxus baccata 'Dovastonii Aurea', commonly known as the Golden Irish Yew, is a variety that is generally propagated by taking cuttings. The most popular method is to take semi-hardwood cuttings. This is typically done in late summer or early autumn. Cuttings should be about 4 to 6 inches (10 to 15 cm) long and include a small portion of the older wood at the base. The bottom cut is made just below a node, and the foliage from the lower third of the cutting is removed. The cut end is then dipped in a rooting hormone to encourage root development and planted in a well-draining potting mix. The cuttings need to be kept in a humid environment with a steady temperature until they have rooted, which usually takes a few months.
