Kyaraboku

Japanese yew

Taxus cuspidata (var. nana)

Characteristics

Very slow growth; small, dark-green leaves and smooth, reddish-brown trunk. Light-green buds turning dark green by maturing; replaces the old vegetation in May/June.

Care

Loves cool, ventilated places, preferably in partial shade; well-drained neutral pH soil, water only when the soil surface is completely dry (intolerant of water stagnation). Use a slow-release fertilizer in spring. A preventive anti-fungal treatment followed by a mineral oil insecticide treatment is advised in winter, as well an acaricide treatment in summer.

Pruning

Cut off the new vegetation (only once matured) using sharpened clippers either before summer or in September/October, avoid pruning during the hottest months.

partial shade

water sparingly

neutral pH soil

hardy -20°C

Japanese yew