false yew

Cephalotaxus harringtonia 'Golden Dragon'

Staring Down a Golden Dragon

Every year, I fall further in love with the false yew, Cephalotaxus harringtonia ‘Golden Dragon’. These eight year old plants are our oldest, and now measure 30″ tall x 6′ wide. This incredible import from Japan, holds it color year round when planted where it will receive at least full sun for a few hours.

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Cephalotaxus harringtonia 'Brooklyn Gardens'

Yew Sperm, Coming Soon

Our bank of false yew, Cephalotaxus harringtonia ‘Brooklyn Gardens’ is ready to release its pollen, aka: conifer sperm. Conifers grew up before flowering plants were invented, so they can’t rely on insects like bees and butterflies to assist them with sex. In the old days, plants depended on wind to assist with sex, so surviving

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Is that really yew?

While folks from “up north” know yews (Taxus), they are far less likely to know its doppleganger, the false yew (Cephalotaxus). I’ve always considered the two fairly interchangable, so was fascinated when DNA showed they actually belong to different plant families, which aren’t really closely related…other than both being conifers. Taxus is now in its

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