Taxus baccata Ball – Timeless Evergreen Structure for Formal Gardens
The Taxus baccata Ball, or Yew Ball, is a classic topiary form crafted from English Yew, a native evergreen renowned for its dense, dark green foliage and exceptional longevity. With its tightly clipped spherical shape, this plant brings elegance, permanence, and architectural structure to gardens of all styles. Perfect for formal borders, topiary parterres, entrances, or containers, the yew ball offers year-round interest with very little maintenance.
🌿 Seasonal Beauty & Year-Round Appeal
Spring:
Fresh new growth emerges in lighter green, subtly softening the dark tone and offering seasonal contrast.
A great time for shaping if needed—light clipping encourages denser foliage.
Summer:
Lush, deep green needles provide a calm, structural presence in borders or pots.
Heat-tolerant once established and handles dry spells well.
Autumn:
Maintains its clipped ball form and rich evergreen foliage.
May produce small red arils (berries) if left unclipped and mature, adding subtle interest.
Winter:
Fully evergreen and frost-hardy, Yew holds its structure and colour through the coldest months.
Ideal for bringing order and interest when other plants fade.
📏 Structure & Growth
Height & Width: Usually maintained at 40–60cm diameter, but can be grown larger with time.
Form: Naturally dense and slow-growing—ideal for clipping into a tight, formal ball.
Growth Rate: Slow to moderate; holds its shape well with minimal pruning.
🌱 Growing Conditions & Care
Position: Grows in full sun to full shade – one of the most versatile evergreens for light conditions.
Soil: Prefers well-drained, fertile soil; tolerates chalk, clay, and sandy ground. Avoid waterlogged spots.
Maintenance: Very low maintenance. Clip once or twice a year to maintain shape, ideally in late spring or late summer.
Hardiness: Extremely hardy across the UK (H7); withstands cold, wind, and urban pollution.
🌿 Perfect For
Formal Gardens & Parterres: The perfect topiary for creating strong lines and symmetry.
Entrances & Gateways: Use as flanking pairs in pots for a bold, timeless statement.
Containers: A classic in stone or lead-effect pots, especially near steps, doors, or patios.
Year-Round Interest: Keeps gardens looking smart even in the depths of winter.
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.