Taxus baccata 'Goldener Zwerg' / Golden Dwarf English yew

Taxus baccata 'Goldener Zwerg' is a narrow, upright, dwarf selection of English yew with tight, fastigiate branching and radially arranged dark-green needles with bold pale-yellow margins. 'Goldener Zwerg' is a male clone that rarely produces pollen cones. After 10 years of growth, a mature specimen will measure 28 inches (70 cm) tall and 8 inches (20 cm) wide, an annual growth rate of 2 to 3 inches (5 - 7.5 cm).

This cultivar originated as a seedling selected around 1990 by Günther Horstmann Nursery, Schneverdingen, Germany. In the German language, "goldener Zwerg" translates into "golden dwarf' in English, which is how one often sees this conifer labeled in the U.S. nursery trade.

Taxus baccata 'Goldener Zwerg' in the Flora Wonder Arboretum, at Buchholz Nursery, Gaston, Oregon.
Photo by David Olszyk
Taxus baccata 'Goldener Zwerg' — a closeup of foliage detail.
Photo by David Olszyk

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