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How much shade can Hick's Yew tolerate?

8 years ago

If an area gets very little direct sun (neighbor's house behind, tall conifers on both sides, and deciduous trees filtering the light from the front and above), but enough light does penetrate to support Vinca minor and Hosta lancifolia, and the hosta is able to flower, would that be enough light for Hick's Yew to grow? I'd like to hide the view of the neighbor's house.

Featured Answer

gardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)

8 years ago

All yews are extremely shade tolerant and will grow in almost total shade. However, that is not their preference. Growth will be slow and and the plant may become leggy with sparse foliage. And you may find the plants leaning towards a stronger light source.

I recall a planting of Hicks at an older private garden that were shielded from all but the early morning sun by a tall fence and larger adjacent conifers. They were massive and well-developed but had a marked lean to the early eastern sun.

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Comments (7)

ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5
8 years ago
not much dies in shade ... it simply reduces vigor ... annual growth rate ...

but planting in heavy shade.. with a dream of something growing into a screen ... might be a couple lifetimes dream ...

i just dont know if it will grow fast enough without sunlight... and i doubt anyone will be able to answer with specificity.. because this is almost the pure definition of a micro climate .. all personal to your spot ...

whats to lose ...???.. go for it ...

ken
irene_z5 thanked ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5
irene_z5
Original Author
8 years ago
I could put a temporary screen behind the yews while they grow ... except then they'd get even less light.

I'm also considering putting up some trellis or chain-link and running Thorndale ivy on it. Come to think of it, I could do both -- yews in front of chain-link/ivy, and move the yews in a few years if they don't thrive.

The obvious answer is a solid fence, but I don't think it's in the budget, whereas I do have the plants already.
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The gate is on my property. The concrete is the neighbor's driveway, with the structure on the right side of the photo being their garage. I don't know that I/the neighbor would want the Yew to grow through the fence because it would begin to start obstructing their driveway if that makes sense and we have pretty narrow driveways in our community - just wide enough for a vehicle. Of course, I could keep it tightly clipped against the fence...however that's why I would need to know how far away to plant it from the fence so that a "tight clip" doesn't look awful or harm the plant as it grows and matures. I'm also open to other ideas of what I could plant here if Yew isn't the best option. It's a fairly shady spot despite what the photo may make it seem like which is why I was thinking of going with Yew. This is the Northeast corner of my house...the area gets morning sun..a lot of it filtered by some very tall maple trees that overhang my property from another neighbor's yard. After early afternoon (1 pm-ish?)...my house keeps this area in the shade the rest of the day as the sun moves west. I am in Zone 5b.
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ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5
8 years ago
well .. if you have the plants.. whats to use ...

a pic might get you some brainstorming ...

ken
irene_z5
Original Author
8 years ago
Leaning wouldn't be a problem as the strongest light would be from above and the front. The old overgrown cedars to one side of the area already lean forward for the same reason.

Ken, I'll post some pics when I can.
ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5
8 years ago
well .. if you have the plants.. whats to use ...

+++>>> whats to lose ...

i look forward to pix

ken
Kitchenlady (Tennessee, Zone 7a)
8 years ago
We had hicks yews growing at our house in very dense shade when we moved here. They were quite big and beautiful but we had to move them when we added a new back porch. I've recently planted some smaller ones in the same area and I'm hoping they'll do well too.

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