For a privacy screen or container centerpiece, yew trees and shrubs are a great choice

In the Garden

Yew trees and shrubs (Taxus) are among the most versatile of conifers. These slow-growing, long-lived evergreens are drought-tolerant, pest-free and amazingly easy to prune. Most have dark green foliage, but there are some highly attractive varieties with golden needles.

They’re one of the only conifers that will thrive in sun or shade, although the ones with golden needles color up best if planted in morning sunshine. The one requirement for all yews is good drainage.

Yews come in a variety of forms. Female varieties form aesthetically pleasing red berries that are attractive to birds, but the seeds within are highly poisonous to humans.

If you’re looking for a colorful privacy screen or tall-growing hedge, a good choice is the English yew (Taxus baccata ‘Elegantissima’). This densely clad, upright grower can exceed 10 feet tall and wide, but can be pruned at any size. The new leaves emerge gold before turning bronzy green in summer.

If you prefer a narrower growing hedge or want to add a vertical element to your landscape, consider the golden Irish yew (Taxus baccata ‘Fastigiata Aurea’), which will eventually grow to 25 feet tall by 8 feet wide. This variety sports ferny-looking leaves that emerge a rich shade of gold, turn green with gold edging in summer and become chartreuse in fall.

To create a more natural look, the Japanese yew (Taxus cuspidata ‘Dwarf Bright Gold’) has a spreading habit, eventually forming a 6-foot-tall and 6-foot-wide shrub. In spring, new growth emerges brilliant gold, then mellows to a golden green by late summer. The foliage often turns an appealing shade of reddish-brown or yellow in winter.

Finally, a great centerpiece for a container is Taxus baccata ‘Standishii’. This slow-growing narrow upright yew is a sun lover. It can eventually reach 8 feet, but can be easily pruned to keep it in proportion to the size of a pot or a small garden space. This attractive yew creates a striking contrast with new growth that emerges bright golden yellow, backed with rich forest-green needles in the interior. As long as it receives adequate sunshine, the color remains steadfast year-round, making it an especially good choice for a winter pot where its golden glow is guaranteed to cheer up even the darkest winter day.

Sweep pollution away

According to the Department of Seattle Public Utilities, just 16 percent of Seattle’s surface area is streets, but they contribute more than 40 percent of the pollution that ends up in Puget Sound waterways.

Pollutants from vehicles end up in the streets and get whooshed down the storm drains in heavy fall rains. Some of the worst pollutants include metals from vehicles, such as copper from brake pads, zinc from tires and nickel and chromium from engines. There are cancer-causing organic compounds from vehicle exhaust, as well.

Excess fertilizer and other lawn-care products that end up on sidewalks are washed into the street by rain, and even tree leaves and needles cause problems because they stimulate algae growth and deplete oxygen, which harms fish and other creatures living in creeks, lakes, the Duwamish River and Puget Sound.

Therefore, one of the best things each of us can do to help reduce pollution in our waterways is to make a regular practice of sweeping up leaves and debris that accumulate along the curbs and streets in front of our homes. Your landscape will look more attractive, and it makes life better for pedestrians and bicyclists. Best yet, all that exercise will work off so many calories, you’ll be able to enjoy that second helping of Brussels sprouts casserole guilt free!