Plum Yew Yewtopia®

Yewtopia® Plum Yew is a compact evergreen shrub selected for a neat, slightly upright habit and tolerance of heat and dry spells after establishment. Its botanical name is Cephalotaxus harringtonia 'Plania'; [Southern Living Plants](https://southernlivingplants.com/the-collection/plant/yewtopia-plum-yew/) lists a mature size of about three to four feet in both height and width and hardiness in zones 6a–10b. ## Siting and form Use this slow-growing shrub in part shade to full shade, where its evergreen foliage can soften a foundation, edge a woodland path, or form a low hedge. It can also grow in a container with a free-draining potting mix. Allow three to four feet for the mature outline and avoid crowding it against faster-growing shrubs. ## Water and soil Provide well-drained soil and regular water while the roots establish. Once established, the selection tolerates heat and periodic dryness, though it performs best when soil does not remain dry for long stretches. Kew places Cephalotaxus in the family Cephalotaxaceae; the genus includes the accepted species C. harringtonia. ## Maintenance Pruning is usually light. If shaping is needed, trim selectively in early spring before new growth begins, and avoid cutting back hard into old wood. Water container plants when the mix begins to dry, and make sure the pot drains freely. Southern Living lists the selection in zones 6a–10b; the broader catalog range is recorded as USDA zones 6–10.