{"product_id":"taunton-spreading-yew","title":"Taunton Spreading Yew","description":"\u003ch1\u003eA Heat \u0026amp; Cold Tolerant Spreading Yew for Minnesota Shade\u003c\/h1\u003e\n    \u003cp\u003eTaunton Spreading Yew (\u003cem\u003eTaxus × media\u003c\/em\u003e 'Taunton') is the most heat-and-cold-tolerant yew on the market — selected for its resistance to winter burn that plagues other yews in Minnesota. Mature 3–4 ft tall with a spreading 4–6 ft habit, it thrives where other evergreens struggle: dry shade, north foundation walls, and under deciduous canopy.\u003c\/p\u003e\n    \u003ch2\u003eTaunton Spreading Yew Plant Details\u003c\/h2\u003e\n    \u003ctable\u003e\n    \u003ctbody\u003e\n    \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eAttribute\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eDetail\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n    \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eScientific Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eTaxus × media\u003c\/em\u003e 'Taunton'\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCommon Names\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTaunton Spreading Yew\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMature Height\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e3–4 feet\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMature Width\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e4–6 feet\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eGrowth Rate\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSlow to moderate — 4–8 inches per year\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSun\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eFull sun to full shade (most shade-tolerant evergreen for MN)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eWater\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eModerate.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eUSDA Zones\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e4–7 (Twin Cities is zone 4b–5a)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSoil\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eWell-drained Minnesota loam; will not tolerate wet feet.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eFoliage\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eEvergreen — dark green flat needles, red berries on female plants\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eWinter Hardiness\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eReliable to -30°F. Resists winter burn better than other yews.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDeer Resistance\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eHeavily browsed by deer — do not plant in unfenced rural sites. Suitable in fenced Twin Cities yards.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNative Status\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eHybrid yew (Japanese × English); 'Taunton' selected at Hicks Nurseries for cold\/heat tolerance\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n    \u003c\/tbody\u003e\n    \u003c\/table\u003e\n    \u003ch2\u003eTaunton Spreading Yew Uses in Minnesota Landscapes\u003c\/h2\u003e\n    \u003ch3\u003eDry Shade \u0026amp; North Foundations\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTaunton handles the shade conditions that kill arborvitae and spruce: north-side foundation beds, under mature oak or maple canopy, and root-competition zones. One of very few evergreens that thrive in deep shade in the Twin Cities.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eLow Spreading Hedge\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAt 3–4 ft tall by 4–6 ft wide, Taunton makes an elegant spreading low hedge along walkways and driveway edges. Tolerates pruning into formal shapes.\u003c\/p\u003e\n    \u003ch2\u003eBest Time to Plant Taunton Spreading Yew in Minnesota\u003c\/h2\u003e\n    \u003cp\u003eFall — late August through mid-September — is the ideal planting window for evergreens like Taunton Spreading Yew. Soil is still warm enough for root development, cool air reduces transplant shock, and the plant gets 6–8 weeks to establish roots before the typical mid-November ground freeze in the Twin Cities. The earlier window matters specifically for evergreens because they continue losing moisture through their needles all winter, so root establishment before freeze is critical.\u003c\/p\u003e\n    \u003cp\u003eSpring (late April through May, after ground thaw) is the second-best window — you get a full growing season ahead. Avoid summer planting (June–August) when possible; if you must, water heavily and mulch deeply. Never plant after mid-October or before late April, when frozen ground or frost-heaving will kill new roots.\u003c\/p\u003e\n    \u003ch2\u003eHow to Plant Taunton Spreading Yew\u003c\/h2\u003e\n    \u003col\u003e\n    \u003cli\u003eDig wide, not deep — 2–3x the root ball width, same depth. In heavy clay, dig even wider (3–4x).\u003c\/li\u003e\n    \u003cli\u003eCheck for clay hardpan — if water pools in the hole, break through the clay layer or mound-plant 2–3 inches above grade to improve drainage.\u003c\/li\u003e\n    \u003cli\u003eBackfill with native soil mixed with 20–30% compost. Don't fill the hole with pure compost — it creates a \"container\" effect that traps water around the roots.\u003c\/li\u003e\n    \u003cli\u003eSpacing — 4–5 feet apart for spreading low hedge; 6 feet for individual specimens.\u003c\/li\u003e\n    \u003cli\u003eBuild a 3–4 inch water basin around the plant to direct water to the roots. Flatten or remove the basin in late October to prevent ice damage over winter.\u003c\/li\u003e\n    \u003cli\u003eMulch with 2–3 inches of shredded bark or wood chip mulch, kept 2 inches away from the trunk. Do NOT use gravel mulch — it doesn't insulate roots in Minnesota winters.\u003c\/li\u003e\n    \u003c\/ol\u003e\n    \u003ch2\u003eWatering Taunton Spreading Yew in Minnesota\u003c\/h2\u003e\n    \u003ch3\u003eFirst Year Watering Schedule\u003c\/h3\u003e\n    \u003cul\u003e\n    \u003cli\u003eWeeks 1–2: Every 1–2 days, deep and slow (15–25 minutes)\u003c\/li\u003e\n    \u003cli\u003eMonth 1–2: Every 3–4 days\u003c\/li\u003e\n    \u003cli\u003eMonth 3–6: Every 5–7 days during active growth; less if rainfall is adequate (Minnesota averages roughly 3 inches\/month June–August)\u003c\/li\u003e\n    \u003cli\u003eStop watering 2–3 weeks before ground freeze (typically late October in Twin Cities metro). Continued late-fall watering can push tender new growth that gets killed by winter.\u003c\/li\u003e\n    \u003cli\u003eOne deep watering in early December is a good idea for evergreens if fall has been dry — it helps the plant resist winter desiccation.\u003c\/li\u003e\n    \u003c\/ul\u003e\n    \u003ch3\u003eAfter Year One\u003c\/h3\u003e\n    \u003cul\u003e\n    \u003cli\u003eEstablished Taunton Spreading Yew rarely needs supplemental water. Water deeply during droughts (2+ weeks of no rain combined with temps above 80°F).\u003c\/li\u003e\n    \u003cli\u003eSoak to 6–8 inches depth, every 7–14 days during dry spells. Let natural rainfall do the rest.\u003c\/li\u003e\n    \u003c\/ul\u003e\n    \u003ch3\u003eDrip Irrigation in Minnesota\u003c\/h3\u003e\n    \u003cp\u003eDrip works well for Taunton Spreading Yew if your beds already have a system. Place emitters 12–18 inches from the trunk. Always blow out lines and shut off the timer by early October — frozen drip lines split.\u003c\/p\u003e\n    \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWill Taunton survive a Minnesota winter?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes — rated to USDA zone 4. 'Taunton' specifically resists winter burn that damages other yew cultivars in exposed Minnesota sites.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs it deer-resistant?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNo — deer heavily browse yew foliage and the foliage is toxic to deer (and pets\/livestock). Plant only in fenced yards.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWill it grow in deep shade?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes — Taunton is one of the few evergreens that thrives in full shade in Minnesota.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHow fast does it grow?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSlow to moderate — 4–8 inches per year. A 5-gallon plant fills its mature 4–6 ft spread in 6–10 years.\u003c\/p\u003e\n    \u003ch2\u003eYou May Also Like\u003c\/h2\u003e\n    \u003cul\u003e\n    \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eAnnabelle Hydrangea\u003c\/strong\u003e — White summer blooms light up shaded beds against Taunton's dark green.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eHosta 'Sum and Substance'\u003c\/strong\u003e — Chartreuse foliage contrasts with Taunton's dark needles in shade beds.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBoxwood 'Green Velvet'\u003c\/strong\u003e — Mid-height globe form complements Taunton's spreading habit.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eEastern Redbud 'Minnesota Strain'\u003c\/strong\u003e — Spring pink flowers above Taunton's evergreen foundation.\u003c\/li\u003e\n    \u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003c!-- tt-enriched --\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eHow Many Taunton Spreading Yew Do I Need?\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTaunton spreads 4–6 ft wide, so space plants about 4.5 ft on center for a low spreading hedge, or 6 ft for individual specimens.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eRun Length\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003cth\u003ePlants Needed (~4.5 ft spacing)\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e10 ft\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e3\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e20 ft\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e5\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e30 ft\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e7\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e40 ft\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e9\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFor a shaded foundation, a single Taunton fills a 4–6 ft span; groups of 3 create a low evergreen drift under a deciduous canopy.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eTaunton Spreading Yew Season-by-Season in Minnesota\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSpring:\u003c\/strong\u003e Bright green new growth tips emerge over the dark older needles; shear lightly to shape.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSummer:\u003c\/strong\u003e Dense dark-green spreading habit thrives in the dry shade where other evergreens fail.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFall:\u003c\/strong\u003e Female plants set red berry-like arils; foliage holds rich green into the cold.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWinter:\u003c\/strong\u003e Stays evergreen with better winter-burn resistance than other yews — a rare reliable evergreen for deep shade.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eAt a Glance\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e✔ Evergreen   ✔ Shade-Tolerant   ✔ Four-Season Interest\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003ePlant It With\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/products\/nova-japanese-yew\"\u003eNova Japanese Yew\u003c\/a\u003e — an upright yew to layer behind Taunton's low spread.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/products\/dark-green-spreader-yew\"\u003eDark Green Spreader Yew\u003c\/a\u003e — a matching spreading habit for a continuous evergreen band.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/products\/stonehenge-yew\"\u003eStonehenge Yew\u003c\/a\u003e — a columnar yew for vertical contrast in the same shade bed.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/products\/annabelle-hydrangea\"\u003eAnnabelle Hydrangea\u003c\/a\u003e — white summer blooms that light up shade against Taunton's dark needles.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eIs Taunton Spreading Yew Right for Your Yard?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTaunton is one of the few evergreens that thrives in dry shade, north foundations, and under-canopy spots in well-drained soil, hardy to -30°F with strong winter-burn resistance. Not a fit if your site has wet, poorly drained soil (yews will not tolerate wet feet) or if you garden in an unfenced rural area with high deer pressure — deer browse yew foliage heavily.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Three Timbers Minnesota","offers":[{"title":"#2 Gallon","offer_id":54114158477617,"sku":null,"price":34.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"#3 Gallon","offer_id":54114158510385,"sku":null,"price":41.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"#5 Gallon","offer_id":54114158543153,"sku":null,"price":50.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"#7 Gallon","offer_id":54114158575921,"sku":null,"price":91.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"#10 Gallon","offer_id":54114158608689,"sku":null,"price":123.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0986\/0694\/0465\/files\/Taunton_spreading_yew_5.jpg?v=1777352955","url":"https:\/\/threetimbersmn.com\/products\/taunton-spreading-yew","provider":"Three Timbers Minnesota","version":"1.0","type":"link"}