Taxus baccata 'Davisoniana' – A Compact Evergreen Shrub with Elegant Structure and Year-Round Interest
Taxus baccata 'Davisoniana', commonly known as English Yew 'Davisoniana', is a refined and compact evergreen shrub valued for its dense, formal shape and rich, dark green foliage. Its elegant form and tolerance to clipping make it a top choice for structured garden design, hedging, and topiary. Slow-growing but highly adaptable, 'Davisoniana' offers year-round greenery, subtle seasonal shifts in foliage tone, and occasional red berries that add a pop of colour and attract wildlife.
Seasonal Beauty & Growth
Spring:
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New growth emerges in soft, lighter green tones that contrast beautifully with the mature dark green needles.
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This subtle flush of colour brings life to the landscape and highlights the natural layering of the shrub’s dense foliage.
Summer:
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The foliage deepens to a rich, glossy green, remaining lush and dense even in the hottest months.
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Its tidy habit makes it perfect for formal hedging or as a backdrop to more colourful perennials and flowering shrubs.
Autumn:
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Though evergreen, some gentle seasonal shifts in foliage tone can be observed.
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On female plants, small red arils (berries) may appear—decorative and wildlife-friendly, though toxic if ingested.
Winter:
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Retains its foliage year-round, providing valuable winter structure and greenery when most other plants are dormant.
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Offers an elegant architectural presence in winter gardens, especially when used in clipped forms or topiary.
Structure & Form
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Height & Spread: Typically reaches 2–4 meters tall with a similar spread over time, making it suitable for medium hedging or as a freestanding feature shrub.
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Form: Naturally upright and bushy, with a dense, symmetrical habit that responds beautifully to pruning.
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Growth Habit: Slow-growing, making it ideal for controlled garden spaces, borders, and classic hedge lines.
Perfect for Various Landscapes
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Formal Gardens & Hedges: Perfect for classic English-style gardens and formal layouts where symmetry and structure are essential.
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Topiary & Clipped Forms: Excellent for shaping into spheres, cones, or other creative forms due to its dense growth and tolerance of pruning.
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Foundation Plantings: Works well as a backdrop or structure plant in mixed beds and borders.
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Wildlife Gardens: Provides cover for small birds, especially when left untrimmed to produce berries.
Growing Conditions & Care
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Position: Thrives in full sun to partial shade, with excellent tolerance for shaded spots in woodland or north-facing gardens.
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Soil: Prefers well-drained, slightly alkaline to neutral soil, but is adaptable to a wide range of soil types.
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Maintenance: Very low-maintenance once established. Prune in late spring or early autumn to shape or control size. Tolerates hard clipping and regenerates well from old wood.
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Drought Tolerance: Once established, it is drought-tolerant, though young plants benefit from regular watering during dry spells.
Why Choose Taxus baccata 'Davisoniana'?
This evergreen shrub is an ideal choice for gardeners seeking year-round structure, versatility, and elegance. Its slow-growing, dense form makes it ideal for hedging, formal borders, or as a feature shrub. 'Davisoniana' combines classical beauty with modern reliability, offering seasonal interest, wildlife benefits, and exceptional garden value with minimal care.
Perfect Plant Combinations
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Evergreens: Pair with other structured evergreens like Buxus sempervirens (Boxwood) or Ilex crenata for formal garden compositions.
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Flowering Perennials: Underplant with perennials like Geranium, Helleborus, or Heuchera for colour contrast and seasonal variety.
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Grasses & Textural Plants: Soften the formality with grasses like Carex or Festuca glauca to create movement and contrast.
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Spring Bulbs: Combine with snowdrops, daffodils, or tulips to add seasonal pops of colour around its evergreen base.
Taxus baccata 'Davisoniana' is a time-tested, elegant shrub that provides dependable structure, style, and serenity in any garden. Whether used as a clipped hedge, a focal point in formal borders, or a green canvas for seasonal highlights, it is a truly versatile and distinguished addition to the landscape.
Does the height include the pot?
No, we measure from the top of the pot to the tip of the plant except for some of the instant planted screens, in this case it will be stated in the description
How long does delivery take?
Most orders are delivered in just a few days, Smaller items are often sent with Parcelforce on a next day service, Larger items should allow up to 10 days due to the size of the items they often have to be sent on our own transport.
Where will you leave my plants?
We will leave your order at the front of your property, Parcelforce may
leave your items in a safe place if you let us know, Pallet couriers
will require a flat hard surface to deliver to, no gravel or soil, a
driveway or parking spot would be best. Most importantly Deliveries by
pallet courier will require access for a large truck (bin lorry sized)
to get near the delivery point. Deliveries sent on our own transport may come in a small van or larger truck.
