Other Names: Tightwad Japanese Plum Yew, Spreading Plum Yew

 

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As its name suggests, Cephalotaxus harringtonia 'Tightwad', commonly known as Tightwad Japanese Plum Yew, is a low-growing spreader much like its cousin, C. h. 'Prostratus', but with more dense foliage. It forms a low mound to 2 feet high, spreading to 4 feet wide, with attractive arching branches covered with glossy, flattened, very deep green needles that provide a unique texture all their own in the landscape. As with other Japanese Plum Yews, it prefers life on the shady side. Morning and evening sun are fine, but provide some filtered sun or shade during the afternoon hours when the sunlight is most intense, especially in USDA Zones 8-9. Its unique foliage complements all other plants and trees in the shade garden. It is an excellent evergreen under large shade trees and looks especially nice around boulders. 

Growing in a spreading mound to 18 to 24 inches tall and 3 to 4 feet wide, the Tightwad Japanese Plum Yew is ideal for use as a textural accent specimen in small garden spaces or large containers. Where spaces allow, it is useful in shady landscape borders and home foundation plantings as a low border or in groupings. It is an excellent choice for an evergreen groundcover under the canopies of large trees. Looks very nice around garden ponds or in shady rock gardens near boulders. It is a fine addition to Asian gardens, perennial shade gardens, rock gardens, tropical look gardens, and woodland gardens.

Spacing:  3 feet for solid borders or groupings; 6 feet or more for space between plants

Tightwad Japanese Plum Yew grows best in well-drained sandy soils but will adapt to any well-drained soil. Where climates are cool during summer, it can be planted in more sun, but otherwise prefers some filtered sun or shade during the afternoon. We've seen no serious disease or insect problems, and it is a very deer-resistant plant.

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