Creeping Japanese Plum Yew
Cephalotaxus harringtonia ‘Prostrata’ Other Names: Spreading Japanese Plum Yew, Creeping Yew, Spreading Yew
Plant Details
USDA Plant Hardiness Zones: 6a–9b Find Your Zone
Plant Type: Evergreen Shrub or Groundcover
Height at Maturity: 12-24″
Width at Maturity: 3-4′
Spacing: 3′ for mass plantings; 6′ for space between plants
Growth Habit / Form: Arching, Cascading, Mounding, Pendulous Branches, Spreading/Trailing,
Growth Rate: Moderate
Flower Color: NA
Flower Size: NA
Flowering Period: NA
Flower Type: NA
Fragrant Flowers: No
Foliage Color: Deep Green
Fragrant Foliage: No
Berries: Fruits on female plants
Berry Color: Plum
Sun Needs: Morning Sun With Afternoon Shade, Shade or Mostly Shade, Filtered Sun
Water Needs: Average, Low when established
Soil Type: Clay, Loam, Sandy, Silty
Soil Moisture / Drainage: Well Drained Moist to Dry when established
Soil pH: 5.0 – 7.0 (Acid to Slightly Acid)
Maintenance / Care: Very Low
Attracts: Visual Attention
Resistances: Deer – more info, Disease, Drought, Dry Soil, Heat, Heavy Shade, Insect
Description
One of if not our favorite of evergreen groundcover plants, the Creeping Plum Yew, Cephalotaxus harringtonia ‘Prostrata’, is an elegant plant with a spreading habit and attractive arching branches covered with glossy, flattened, very deep green needles that provides a unique texture all its own in the landscape. It will thrive in heavy shade to part shade in USDA zones 8 and 9 and we hear it will tolerate full to mostly sun in zones 6 and 7. One way or another though, we think this plant looks better in the shade, or morning sun with afternoon shade, and its unique foliage compliments all other plants in the shade garden. Excellent under large shade trees and anywhere there’s shade. Looks especially nice around boulders or cascading over walls. In case you were wondering, the word “plum” in the name comes from the purple-red fruits that are produced on female plants.
NOTE: So that those of you who are considering purchasing this plant from us will know what to expect when you receive and open the box, we took a picture of an average sized 1-gallon plant on our nursery and have posted it below. The plants we ship could be smaller or larger than the one pictured. This groundcover variety of plum yew is one that will never look as large and full growing in a container as it does in the ground. Once planted in the ground, the creeping plum yew will grow much more dense, reaching a height of 18-24 inches and a width of 3 feet or so.
Landscape & Garden Uses
Growing in a spreading mound to 18 to 24 inches tall and 3 to 4 feet wide, the Creeping Japanese Plum Yew is ideal for use in groupings or mass plantings in shady to partly shaded landscape borders and home foundation plantings. It is an excellent choice for an evergreen groundcover under the canopies of large trees. Looks very nice around garden ponds or in shady rock gardens near boulders. Also suitable as a solor or combined with other plants in pots, planters and other containers. A fine addition to Asian gardens, perennial shade gardens, rock gardens, tropical look gardens, wildlife gardens, and Xeriscape ardens (Low Water needs)
Spacing: 3 feet for mass plantings; 6 feet or more for space between plants
Note: For our customers who live and garden North of USDA Cold Hardiness Zone 6a, where this Plum Yew is not reliably winter hardy, you’ll be happy to know it can be grown in containers that can be brought indoors during winter and placed back outside when temperatures warm up in spring.
Growing Preferences
Creeping Plum Yew grows best in well-drained sandy soils but will adapt to any well-drained soil. Where climates are cool during summer it can be planted in full sun, but otherwise prefers some shade, preferably in the afternoon. We’ve seen no serious disease or insect problems and it is a very deer resistant plant.
Note: For helpful advice provided by our experts, click on the Planting & Care tab above on desktops and below on mobile phones.
Helpful Articles
Click on the link below to get helpful advice from our experts on how to plant, fertilize, prune and water Plum Yews.
How To Plant & Care For Plum Yews
Plant Long & Prosper!
Meet The Wilson Brothers & Staff
Questions? Contact Us!
I ordered a group of six gallon plants. They look healthy, though as you warned, some are kind of small. They seem healthy, and I expect them to thrive with consistent water.—————————————————————–We are so glad you are pleased and we hope you enjoy them for years to come! Thanks for the great review! 🙂 Beth Steele | WBG
Wow! I am really impressed with Wilson Bros. Gardens! This is the first time I have ordered from them, but I will definitely buy more from them in the future. The 6-pack of I gallon creeping yews was shipped quickly and was extremely carefully packed to ensure that the plants arrived in prime condition. The individual pots were topped with damp paper and then taped to keep the soil intact. Then they were carefully inserted in a heavy box between dividers to keep them from shifting during transit. The bright green, healthy yews arrived in beautiful condition, and I could not be more pleased!———————————————-Wow! We are so glad you are pleased and we hope you enjoy them for years to come! Thanks for the kind words and great review! 🙂 Beth Steele | WBG
The Japanese Plum Yews were my second order from Wilson Brothers. The plants arrived quickly and in excellent condition. I was a bit hesitant about planting the yews so late in the season but they are thriving. Kudos to Wilson Bros for superior service and products.——————————————————————We are so glad you are pleased and we hope you enjoy them for years to come! Thanks for the kind words and great review! 🙂 Beth Steele | WBG
The plants arrived perfectly packed and in great condition. I love ordering from Wilson Brs.- I’m never disappointed.—————————————————————We are so glad you are pleased and we hope you enjoy them for years to come! Thanks for the kind words and great review! 🙂 Beth Steele | WBG
Bought the 6pk of 1 gallons. Could not find them anywhere in the DFW area. I have never bought plants over the internet to be delivered. Very quick delivery and packed very well. These plants came a bit smaller than I thought they would with one being really on the small side. Planted them almost 3 weeks ago. The 5 bigger ones are doing great, the smaller one has not done as well but it is still alive and am hoping that it will take off soon. Would buy from Wilson Bros Gardens again.——————————————————–Hopefullly the smaller one will catch up…keep us posted. We are so glad you are pleased with your purchase! Thanks for the great review! Beth | WBG 🙂
Arrived in a very timely manner and in very good condition. Always appreciate being able to find what I need and receive it healthy and ready to go. Thanks.——————————-We are so glad you are pleased with your purchase! Thanks for the kind words and great review! Beth | WBG 🙂
The plants all arrived in good condition and have all been planted and look happy. I’m looking forward to watching them grow.————————————————-We are so glad you are pleased and we hope you enjoy them for years to come! Thanks for the great review! 🙂 Beth Steele | WBG
I ordered 3 six-packs which arrived quickly and were in excellent condition. I really appreciated the safe and secure packaging (even though it’s a challenge to unpack!).
Plants are in the ground, look great, and I’m very pleased with this purchase. Thank you, Wilson Brothers!————————————We are so glad you are pleased and we hope you enjoy them for years to come! Thanks for the kind words and great review! 🙂 Beth Steele | WBG
Plants are in the ground, look great, and I’m very pleased with this purchase. Thank you, Wilson Brothers!————————————We are so glad you are pleased and we hope you enjoy them for years to come! Thanks for the kind words and great review! 🙂 Beth Steele | WBG
I was hesitant to purchase plants by mail, but pleased to receive beautiful and healthy specimens that were packaged well and undamaged. I highly recommend using Wilson Bros for those plants that are hard to find at your local nursery.—————————————-We are so glad you are pleased and we hope you enjoy them for years to come! Thanks for the great review! 🙂 Beth Steele | WBG
Arrived in excellent condition. In the ground and doing well.——————————————-We are so glad you are pleased with your purchase! Thanks for the great review! Beth | WBG 🙂
I have ordered from Wilson Bros Gardens on a few occasions over several years. I’ve placed more than half a dozen orders with them. They have consistently shipped quality plants which is priority 1. They have also shipped quickly (no longer than a week) on every order I have made which is priority 2. I always consider this company when looking for plants.———————————————-We are so glad you are pleased and we hope you enjoy them for years to come! Thanks for the kind words and great review! 🙂 Beth Steele | WBG
Well packaged , beautiful plants!———————————We are so glad you are pleased! Beth | WBG
I purchased a total of 6 Japanese plum yews for my foundation beds. They arrived in good condition and are growing nicely. A good addition to my front yard landscape.————————————Thanks for the great review! We are so glad you are pleased! Beth | WBG
Packed good for shipping. Two were a little sparse where roots we’re concerned, but all 6 were planted right away and seem happy. They are just as described and will be a great addition to my secret garden.————————————-Hi Marleen, Thanks so much for taking the time to provide your review of the Creeping Japanese Plum Yew. We are so glad you are pleased and we hope you enjoy them for years to come! They grow like crazy, so I wouldn’t worry too much about the sparse ones,,,, 🙂
Beth Steele | Wilson Bros Gardens
Beth Steele | Wilson Bros Gardens



























Reviews
There are no reviews yet.