Taxus baccata ‘Fastigiata Robusta’ Care Guide

Taxus baccata ‘Fastigiata Robusta’ — commonly known as the Irish Yew — is a striking, columnar evergreen conifer with dense, dark-green foliage and a naturally upright, narrow habit. Renowned for its strong architectural presence, it’s perfect for formal gardens, statement entrances, or narrow hedging where space is limited. Hardy, long-lived, and easy to maintain, this variety grows slower and more robustly than standard yew, keeping its elegant shape with minimal pruning.

Planting & Position

Proper planting will help your Irish Yew settle in and thrive for decades.

• Light requirements:

  • Grows well in full sun to partial shade.

  • Tolerates full shade better than many conifers but may be slightly looser in deep shade.

• Soil:

  • Prefers fertile, moist, but well-drained soil.

  • Adapts to clay, loam, or sandy soils if drainage is adequate.

  • Thrives in neutral to alkaline conditions but tolerates slightly acidic soils.

• Planting time:

  • Best planted in autumn or spring, when soil is moist and workable.

  • Water well before and after planting.

• Spacing:

  • Plant 60–90 cm apart for a dense columnar hedge or 1–1.2 m apart if used as individual sentinels.

• Container planting:

  • Can be grown in large pots to frame doorways or patios.

  • Use loam-based compost (e.g., John Innes No.3) with added grit for drainage.

Care & Maintenance

Once established, Taxus baccata ‘Fastigiata Robusta’ is very low-maintenance and highly durable.

• Watering:

  • Keep soil moist during the first year to encourage root development.

  • Mature plants are drought-tolerant but benefit from deep watering in prolonged dry spells.

  • Potted plants need more frequent watering.

• Feeding:

  • Apply a slow-release balanced fertiliser in spring to support growth and rich green foliage.

  • Container plants benefit from monthly liquid feeds during the growing season.

• Pruning & shaping:

  • Naturally grows upright and columnar, needing little pruning.

  • Clip once a year (late summer) to maintain a neat outline or formal hedge.

  • Avoid cutting into old, leafless wood, as regrowth can be slow.

• Mulching:

  • Apply a mulch of compost, bark, or leaf mould in spring to conserve moisture and suppress weeds.

• Pests & diseases:

  • Generally pest- and disease-free.

  • Rarely affected by scale insects or honey fungus.

• Hardiness:

  • Fully hardy in the UK and Ireland, tolerating frost, snow, and wind.

Design Uses & Seasonal Interest

‘Fastigiata Robusta’ is prized for its strong structure, rich colour, and versatility.

• Formal structure:

  • Perfect for framing paths, gates, or entrances with matching pairs.

  • Adds instant vertical accent to mixed borders or formal beds.

• Hedging & screening:

  • Excellent for narrow evergreen hedges or screens where space is limited.

  • Provides privacy and shelter while maintaining a slim profile.

• Containers & patios:

  • Striking in large pots or planters, especially when paired with seasonal bedding at the base.

• All-year appeal:

  • Retains dense, deep-green foliage throughout winter.

  • Adds bold architectural structure when other plants have died back.

• Wildlife value:

  • Berries (on female plants) attract birds in autumn and winter.

  • Dense growth provides shelter for small birds.

In summary: Taxus baccata ‘Fastigiata Robusta’ is a tough, elegant, columnar yew ideal for creating formal structure, screening, or statement features. Plant in fertile, well-drained soil, water while young, feed each spring, and give a light annual clip for a crisp shape. Long-lived, hardy, and low-maintenance, it’s a dependable investment for any garden design.

• Size
  100-125 CM C12

We currently only deliver within the island of Ireland, other countries can be quoted for by contacting [email protected] or via telephone on 06964084
 

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All standard deliveries will be completed within 5-7 working days via Fastway Couriers, any delay to this delivery time, the customer will be notified by One of our staff.

The in-Store delivery charge will vary compared with online, in-store delivery charge is done on a case by case basis. 

* Only mainland Ireland addresses qualify for free delivery.
 

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Our live plants are packed with care and diligence by our staff, our horticulturists review each plant before despatch to ensure quality is maintained.
Live Plant delivery charges are not calculated on weight but on the space required per package to ensure safe delivery, so delivery charges may vary as some plants require more space than others when packed.
All live plants are despatched within 3-5 working days where possible, our couriers aim to deliver within 48 hours of despatch from our Garden Centre to allow the plant to arrive in healthy condition.
 

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