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Cephalotaxus harringtonia (Cow's tail pine )
1 hour care
per year
per year
8m
Max height
Max height
8m
Max spread
Max spread
20-50 years
To maturity
To maturity
Plant details
Botanical name
Cephalotaxus harringtonia
Other names
Cephalotaxus harringtonii, Cow's tail pine , Plum yew, Japanese plum yew
Genus
Cephalotaxus Cephalotaxus
Species
C. harringtonia - C. harringtonia is a spreading, slow-growing, evergreen, coniferous shrub or small tree with linear, yew-like, sharp-pointed, dark green leaves arranged in a v-shape on either side of the shoots. Female plants bear fleshy, edible, plum-like fruit ripening olive-green to reddish-purple in autumn.
Cephalotaxus harringtonia is: Evergreen
Habit
Spreading
Foliage
Dark-green in All seasons
How to care
Watch out for
General care
Pruning
No regular pruning necessary except if used as a hedge. Trim hedges in early summer. Tolerates hard pruning.
Propagation
Sow seed in containers in a cold frame in autumn or after stratification in spring. Seed may take two years to germinate. Take cuttings from terminal shoots.
Propagation methods
Softwood cuttings, Semi-hardwood cuttings, Seed
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Where to grow
Cephalotaxus harringtonia (Cow's tail pine ) will reach a height of 8m and a spread of 8m after 20-50 years.
Suggested uses
Hedging/Screens, Low Maintenance, Foliage only
Cultivation
Plant in any fertile, moist but well-drained soil, preferably in partial shade. Will tolerate full sun in cool, moist climates. Needs shelter from cold, drying winds.
Soil type
Chalky, Clay, Loamy, Sandy (will tolerate most soil types)
Soil drainage
Moist but well-drained
Soil pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Light
Partial Shade, Full Sun
Aspect
North, South, East, West
Exposure
Sheltered
UK hardiness Note: We are working to update our ratings. Thanks for your patience.
Hardy (H4)
Companion plants
Botanical name
Cephalotaxus harringtonia
Other names
Cephalotaxus harringtonii, Cow's tail pine , Plum yew, Japanese plum yew
Genus
Cephalotaxus Cephalotaxus
Species
C. harringtonia - C. harringtonia is a spreading, slow-growing, evergreen, coniferous shrub or small tree with linear, yew-like, sharp-pointed, dark green leaves arranged in a v-shape on either side of the shoots. Female plants bear fleshy, edible, plum-like fruit ripening olive-green to reddish-purple in autumn.
Native to
Japan, Korea, Taiwan
Foliage
Evergreen
Habit
Spreading
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Colour
Foliage
Dark-green in All seasons
General care
Pruning
No regular pruning necessary except if used as a hedge. Trim hedges in early summer. Tolerates hard pruning.
Propagation
Sow seed in containers in a cold frame in autumn or after stratification in spring. Seed may take two years to germinate. Take cuttings from terminal shoots.
Propagation methods
Softwood cuttings, Semi-hardwood cuttings, Seed
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Where to grow
Cephalotaxus harringtonia (Cow's tail pine ) will reach a height of 8m and a spread of 8m after 20-50 years.
Suggested uses
Hedging/Screens, Low Maintenance, Foliage only
Cultivation
Plant in any fertile, moist but well-drained soil, preferably in partial shade. Will tolerate full sun in cool, moist climates. Needs shelter from cold, drying winds.
Soil type
Chalky, Clay, Loamy, Sandy (will tolerate most soil types)
Soil drainage
Moist but well-drained
Soil pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Light
Partial Shade, Full Sun
Aspect
North, South, East, West
Exposure
Sheltered
UK hardiness Note: We are working to update our ratings. Thanks for your patience.
Hardy (H4)
USDA zones
Zone 9, Zone 8, Zone 7, Zone 6
In order to add a note on this plant, please add this plant to your plant lists.
| This plant likes... | Garden match | |
| Soil types: | Chalky, Clay, Loamy, Sandy (will tolerate most soil types) | Tell us... |
| Soil drainage: | Moist but well-drained | Tell us... |
| Soil pH: | Acid, Alkaline, Neutral | Tell us... |
| Light: | Partial Shade, Full Sun | Tell us... |
| Aspect: | North, South, East, West | Tell us... |
| Exposure: | Sheltered | Tell us... |
| Hardiness: | Hardy (H4) | Tell us... |
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