Taxus cuspidata ‘Aurescens’

Golden Japanese Yew

Taxus cuspidata ‘Aurescens’ is an evergreen conifer with a dense, upright to broadly rounded habit, forming a compact shrub with excellent year-round structure. This ornamental selection of Japanese Yew is prized for its golden-yellow new growth, which matures to rich green, providing bright seasonal color and strong landscape contrast.

The foliage consists of soft, flat needles arranged in two rows along the stems. New growth emerges bright golden-yellow before gradually changing to yellow-green and finally dark green as it matures. The dense branching creates a refined texture, making it suitable for both formal and informal gardens. Female plants may produce attractive red fleshy arils in autumn.

Taxus cuspidata ‘Aurescens’ grows best in partial shade to full sun and prefers moist, well-drained soils. It tolerates a wide range of soil types, including clay and urban soils, provided drainage is adequate. Once established, it is moderately drought tolerant and responds exceptionally well to pruning. It is ideal for foundation plantings, low hedges, mixed borders, specimen planting, and shaded gardens.