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CEPHALOTAXUS harringtonia 'Korean Gold'

Image of Cephalotaxus harringtonia 'Korean Gold'

Mark A. Miller

Family

Cephalotaxaceae

Botanical Name

CEPHALOTAXUS harringtonia 'Korean Gold'

Plant Common Name

Harrington's Plum Yew, Korean Gold Plum Yew

Special Notice

This entry has yet to be reviewed and approved by L2G editors.

General Description

Harrington's plum yew is a needled evergreen shrub or small tree with an upright to arching and spreading habit. This native of Korea and Japan is yew-like in appearance and has glossy, flattened dark green needles with silvery bands on their undersides. It is technically coniferous, but much like true yews its round fruits have a fleshy, purple-red exterior. Fruits only exist on female plants and appear in late summer to fall.

Plum yew grows well in sandy, well drained soil. Where climates are cool it can be planted in full sun, but otherwise prefers partial sun to partial shade. Harrington's plum yew is heat tolerant and more shade tolerant than many conifers making it especially useful in southern gardens. It appreciates protection from strong winds, and looks best planted in masses along a foundation or in a large bed. It is a deer-resistant plant.

Characteristics

  • AHS Heat Zone

    9 - 3

  • USDA Hardiness Zone

    6 - 9

  • Sunset Zone

    4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 14, 15, 16, 17

  • Plant Type

    Shrub

  • Sun Exposure

    Full Sun, Partial Sun, Partial Shade

  • Height

    3'-30' / 0.9m - 9.1m

  • Width

    5'-20' / 1.5m - 6.1m

  • Bloom Time

    Early Spring, Spring, Late Winter

  • Native To

    Japan, Korea

Growing Conditions

  • Soil pH

    Acidic, Neutral

  • Soil Drainage

    Well Drained

  • Soil type

    Clay, Loam, Sand

  • Growth Rate

    Medium

  • Water Requirements

    Average Water

  • Habit

    Arching/Fountain-shaped

  • Seasonal Interest

    Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter

Ornamental Features

  • Flower Interest

    Insignificant

  • Fruit Color

    Dark Red, Plum

  • Foliage Color (Spring)

    Dark Green

  • Foliage Color (Summer)

    Dark Green

  • Foliage Color (Fall)

    Dark Green

  • Foliage Color (Winter)

    Dark Green

  • Bark Color

    Sienna, Gray

  • Fragrant Flowers

    No

  • Fragrant Fruit

    No

  • Fragrant Foliage

    Yes

  • Bark or Stem Fragrant

    Yes

  • Repeat Bloomer

    No

  • Showy Fruit

    Yes

  • Edible Fruit

    No

  • Showy Foliage

    Yes

  • Foliage Texture

    Fine

  • Foliage Sheen

    Glossy

  • Evergreen

    Yes

  • Showy Bark

    Yes

Special Characteristics

  • Bark Texture

    Exfoliating

  • Usage

    Feature Plant, Foundation, Groundcover, Hedges, Screening / Wind Break

  • Sharp or Has Thorns

    Yes

  • Invasive

    No

  • Self-Sowing

    Yes