Taxus x media 'Hicksii'
Growing zones
See Zone Map >
4-7
Taxus x media 'Hicksii'
Status: In stock
Product ID#: thick
Starting at:
$75.99
Starting at:
Product Description
Sun Exposure
Sun, Part Sun/Shade, Shade
Soil Conditions
Normal, Sandy, Clay/Heavy
Fruit Color
Red
Mature Plant Size (H x W)
8-12' x 2-4'
A Taxus Hicks yew is one of the best slender, evergreen hedges from southern Wisconsin. It works beautifully in English Gardens as a yew hedge or as a single upright specimen plant. It is an easy plant to maintain by pruning mid-summer and can be used as a screening hedge. Dark green needles that stay nice and full accent the red berries it produces. It is intolerant of road salt and a favorite amongst deer. An excellent evergreen shrub, it can complement your landscape as a yew hedge. It can even grow to astounding heights of over 18 feet!
Enhance Your Garden With Elegant Hicks Yew From McKay Nursery
Here at McKay Nursery, we offer an expertly curated collection of plants, including the tall and reliable Taxus Hicks yew. With its ability to thrive in a range of light conditions and its tolerance for pruning, a Taxus Hicks yew offers both beauty and versatility. If you're looking to incorporate this plant into your landscape as a yew hedge or as a specimen plant, order now! Contact us at [email protected] or call 920-478-2121 so our team can accommodate your purchase.
Please note: #5 containers cannot be shipped to Arizona, California, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, Washington due to size restrictions.
Enhance Your Garden With Elegant Hicks Yew From McKay Nursery
Here at McKay Nursery, we offer an expertly curated collection of plants, including the tall and reliable Taxus Hicks yew. With its ability to thrive in a range of light conditions and its tolerance for pruning, a Taxus Hicks yew offers both beauty and versatility. If you're looking to incorporate this plant into your landscape as a yew hedge or as a specimen plant, order now! Contact us at [email protected] or call 920-478-2121 so our team can accommodate your purchase.
Please note: #5 containers cannot be shipped to Arizona, California, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, Washington due to size restrictions.
- Sun, Part Sun/Shade, Shade
Mature Plant Size (H x W):
8-12' x 2-4'
Key features
- Attracts Birds
- Winter Interest
- Stone Mulch
- Cut Flower
Planting Care
Planting & Care for Taxus Hicks Yew (Taxus x media)
Preparation
- Easily grown in average, medium moisture, well-drained soils in full sun to partial sun.
- Tolerates shade and is considered to be an excellent evergreen for shady conditions.
- Prefers moist, sandy soil types, and has no tolerance for wet conditions which must be avoided.
- Well-drained soil is essential.
- Tolerates urban conditions.
- Expect a mature height of 18’ at most.
- Best sited in locations protected from cold winter winds.
- Depends upon the characteristics of the cultivar. General uses include foundations, screens, or hedges. Effective when massed or grouped.
Opening Plant Material
- B&B: Soak root ball well. Dig a hole at least 6" wider and no deeper than the size of the ball on the plant. Rotate the plant to the proper position. Never lift or move trees by the tops.
- Containers: Completely saturate all container plants by putting them in a larger water container until bubbling stops. Remove the plant, then dig a hole no deeper than the depth of the container, ensuring it’s wider on the sides by an additional 6” or more.
Planting B&B Trees
- Plant B&B trees in spring or fall. A good indicator of whether you can still plant is if the ground is still workable. If a hard frost is expected, hold off on planting.
- Notice where the base of the trunk flares out from the tree. This is called the root flare. This root flare should show when the tree is planted. Add soil under the ball so the root flare is exposed if necessary.
- Place fertilizer packets into the bottom of the hole (if purchased). *Use Our Recommended Fertilizer.
- Backfill ½ of the hole with soil and completely saturate the soil with water.
Once the tree is straight in the proper location, cut and remove twine. Then, remove or bend back the top of the metal basket. Lastly, remove the exposed burlap from the top of the ball. - Fill the hole to the top of the ball with soil, then soak well with water and let settle.
- The top of the root ball should be visible and slightly higher than the soil around it.
- Add mulch on top of the soil, making sure not to put mulch against the trunk or stems.
Planting Containers
- Dig a hole no deeper than the depth of the container and 6" or wider on the sides.
Slide the plant from the pot by tapping on the bottom of the pot. - With a shovel or knife, trim the bottom 2" off the root ball for plants in plastic containers.
- Rotate the plant to the proper position. Never lift or move plants by the tops.
- Place the root ball in the hole.
- Adjust the plant height so the root crown is slightly higher than the ground.
- Notice where the base of the trunk flares out from the tree. This is called the root flare. This root flare should show when the tree is planted. Add soil under the ball so the root flare is exposed if necessary.
- Place fertilizer packets into the bottom of the hole (if purchased). *Use Our Recommended Fertilizer.
- Backfill the hole with soil, ensuring the top of the root ball is visible and slightly higher than the soil around it.
- Firm the soil around the plant. Water well to settle soil around the root ball.
See our link below, “Planting & Handling Help,” for a downloadable planting guide with illustrations.
Pruning - After Planting
- B&B and Containers: Although it’s not essential after planting, light pruning can help shape a Taxus Hicks yew. Doing so removes any broken branches from shipping or thins out a heavily branched plant to assist in the transplanting process and the appearance of your new planting.
Pruning - Through-out the Season
- Accepts pruning and shearing well. Pruning is best done in early spring before new growth appears.
Watering - After Planting
- Plants typically take approximately 6 weeks to establish new roots in your soil. During this period, water plants as often as every 2-4 days at the start and at least a minimum of once per week.
- Beyond the six-week establishment period, water once per week unless rain occurs.
- Remember to check soil moisture by sticking your finger into the soil around 3”.
Watering - Through-out the Season
- After the first season, plants should only be watered during extended periods without rain.
- How do you know if your plants need water? The easiest way to tell is to touch the soil around the roots. If it is moist, there is no need to water. If it’s dry, give it a good soak with the hose end (no nozzle), watering the soil only, not the leaves.
- Same as after planting, stick your finger into the soil around 3” to check soil moisture.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the common pests encountered by Taxus Hicks yew (Taxus x media ‘hicksii’)?
Hicks yews can be susceptible to evergreen sapsuckers, including mealybugs and scale.
These pests overwinter, or hibernate, as nymphs then emerge in the spring to feed. Infestations can lead to needle loss, yellowing branches, dieback, and certain mold issues.
Mealybugs and scale can be difficult to control with insecticides only. To control infestations, use a forcible spray with a garden hose to remove the insects.
Additionally, you can treat infested areas with a 70 percent diluted solution of isopropyl alcohol. Test it first for plant burn, then apply once a week until the pests clear away.
What are the common problems encountered by Hicks yews?
Root rot and winter damage are common issues with yew plants.
A Hicks yew hedge is notorious for dying due to root rot if it sits in waterlogged soil. However, too little watering can also cause similar issues.
Heavy snows cause winter damage, which manifests in signs such as broken branches and browning needles. After a big snowfall, remove any lingering snow buildup to prevent this issue. Additionally, late summer pruning can help a Hicks yew hedge avoid breakage during storms.
What’s the best growing zone for Hicks yews?
As one of the easiest evergreen shrubs to grow—even in part shade—Hicks yews are very hardy and can survive in growing zones 4 to 7.
They rarely encounter issues with pests and become more drought-resistant once established.
When is the best time to prune a Hicks yew?
Hicks yew accepts pruning and shearing well, making it ideal for low maintenance hedges or shaped forms.
The best time for pruning is by spring before new growth begins, allowing for shaping and removal of any broken or diseased branches.
Why is my Hicks yew bleeding sap?
Yew hedges can ‘bleed’ their blood-red sap if it’s injured due to breakage or winter damage.
While this isn’t a severe issue, bleeding Hicks yew hedges can scare easily. According to legends, this phenomenon is also associated with the plant’s sympathy to Jesus after his death on the cross.
Planting & Handling Help
Download our Planting and Handling Guide below to plan for a successful arrival and install of your plants. Be sure to water all plants as soon as they arrive and every day until you’re ready to plant. Keep any bare root bundles in a shady, cool spot with the roots covered at all times.
Learn More
Watch our videos on handling bare root plants, how your order is prepared for shipment and more.
Plant Sizing
What is the difference between Containers, Grow Bags, Bare Root, and Balled & Burlap (B&B)?
Shipping Times
Our FedEx and local shipping times depend on two factors, one is by the region and the second is the type of product being shipped. For example, small fruits are only shipped in spring, but majority of our perennials are shipped from spring until fall. Keep in mind the dates below act as a general guide. Due to unpredictable weather, staffing, inventory and industry demands these timelines can change. Therefore, we cannot guarantee any of these times.
Shipping Dates by Region*
Northern Cold Region: April 22nd - November 7th
Northern Region: April 15th - November 7th
Middle Region: April 1st - November 7th
Southern Region: March 15th - November 7th
Local Delivery (small radius from Waterloo, WI): April 22nd - November 7th
Shipping Dates by Season*
Spring Shipping: Region Start Date (above) - May
Fall Shipping: September - November
Due to unpredictable weather, these times may vary. Some varieties are exceptions due to heat and plant health reasons. Enter your shipping zip code at the top of this page and be sure to check the shipping information on each product before you add it to your cart. If the product is too large or restricted in your state, you will not be able to checkout with that item in your cart.