Taxus Baccata Standishii or Yew Standish

Taxus Baccata Standishii is an RHS AGM winning slender fastigiate yew with bright golden needles. This is an excellent conifer choice for evergreen mixed winter borders and formal displays that need height without width.

Standish is a very slow growing female yew with upright shoots and broad yellow-gold needles. Its evergreen branches are densely arranged so its needles cover all the bark. Yew Standish is one of the best yellow-hued columnar yews because it retains its golden colour all year round. Its gold foliage is most vibrant when it’s grown in full sun.

In spring, insignificant small flowers attract bees, and at summer’s end it produces masses of bright red berries which the birds love, but like all yews, they are toxic if eaten by people. This is one of the best choices if you need a bright but extremely narrow fastigiate yew.

Height and Spread of Taxus Baccata Standishii
Yew Standish is small and slow growing. It’ll reach 1.5 metres by just 25 cm in 10 years.

How Hardy is Taxus Baccata Standishii
Yew is extremely hardy, so Yew Standish is able to tolerate minus temperatures, drought, exposure and pollution if it’s planted in well-drained soil. It is a little prone to sun scorch, but the RHS AGM has awarded it their H7 hardiest label.

How to Use Taxus Baccata Standishii
Just like an exclamation mark, golden Yew Standish stands out, so it’s a real attention grabber.
It’s ideal for rockeries and narrow borders, and it will grow in a patio or balcony brightening well-watered container. Its 25 centimetre width means it’ll fit into the smallest of outside spaces to create low-maintenance vertical accents.

How To Care for Taxus Baccata Standishii
Yew Standish naturally grows in a narrow columnar fashion, so it requires very little maintenance to look its best. You don’t need to clip it, but you can trim its branches to achieve an even thinner profile.
Plant it in well-drained soil of any type in full sun or partial shade, and give it plenty of water until established. Adding a thick layer of organic mulch in spring traps moisture and ensures it has plenty of nutrients across the growing season. 
Container grown fastigiate yews need regular water and fertiliser and should not be allowed to dry out or they may topple over if it’s windy.