Japanese Plum Yew

About this plant

Cephalotaxus harringtonia 'Duke Gardens', commonly known as Japanese Plum Yew, is a premium evergreen celebrated for its refined texture and shade tolerance. Unlike many conifers, it boasts soft, lustrous needles that are gentle to the touch and maintain their deep green hue throughout all seasons, providing year-round visual interest. This cultivar forms a broad, low-growing mound, making it an excellent choice for foundation plantings, mass plantings, or as a sophisticated groundcover in shaded borders. Its elegant, spreading form creates a superb backdrop for flowering perennials or defines pathways with understated class. 'Duke Gardens' is also remarkably adaptable and exceptionally low-maintenance once established. Its unique aesthetic and resilience make it a standout selection for discerning homeowners and landscapers seeking a distinguished evergreen solution for challenging shaded areas. Consider it for a touch of enduring beauty and effortless charm in your landscape.

Installation timing

When we're in season, outside of the winter months, our goal is to get your plants installed within about two weeks. That window gives us enough time to secure your plants from our supplier and find a spot on the schedule. Throughout the process we stay in touch through notifications and your existing client portal on the main A Cut Above website, which is separate from this landscaping plants shop.

Care & maintenance

Easily grown in a variety of well-drained soils; prefers consistent moisture but tolerates some drought once established. Prune lightly in late winter or early spring to maintain desired shape or remove any dead or damaged branches. Fertilize sparingly in spring if growth is slow.

Watering suggestions

Proper watering is the single most important factor in your plant's survival after installation. Newly installed plants have a limited root system and rely on you for consistent moisture while they establish.

• First 2 weeks: Water deeply every day (or every other day in cooler, wet weather), soaking the root ball and surrounding soil.
• Weeks 3–12: Water deeply 2–3 times per week, adjusting for rain, heat, and soil drainage.
• After establishment: Water deeply about once a week during the growing season, and more often in extreme heat or drought.
• How to check: Stick a finger 2–3 inches into the soil near the roots — if it's dry, it's time to water. Deep, less-frequent watering encourages strong roots; shallow daily sprinkles do not.
• Avoid: Overwatering (soggy, waterlogged soil) is just as harmful as underwatering and can drown roots.

Watering needs vary by plant, season, soil, and exposure. Because proper watering is the customer's responsibility after installation, please make sure you understand and can follow these suggestions before ordering.

Good to know: plants and trees purchased from and installed by A Cut Above include a one-year limited warranty from the date of installation. Because plant survival depends heavily on proper watering and care after installation, losses caused by improper care, neglect, animal or chemical damage, or extreme weather are not covered, and we must be given the chance to inspect a struggling plant before it's removed or replaced. Coverage is one replacement per plant. Read our warranty info.