Taxus media – The yew, the millennia-old conifer with a majestic form
A 12-year-old outdoor bonsai with legendary longevity and an ancient character. Taxus media, a cross between the European and Japanese yew, is one of the longest-lived conifers in the world: specimens over 1,000 years old can be found in nature. With its slow growth and dark, compact evergreen foliage, it brings a quiet, authoritative presence to any outdoor space. A bonsai that tells the story of time.
✅ Kit includes: Taxus media bonsai + saucer.
📌 Important notes: The bonsai’s shape and dimensions are approximate (including the pot). The color and shape of the pot may differ from the photographs. As these are living plants, their appearance changes with the seasons; the images are therefore for illustrative purposes only and do not constitute a contractual obligation.
Key features
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Habitat: Outdoors – full sunlight, year-round
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Leaf type: Evergreen
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Family: Taxaceae
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Growth: Slow, with great longevity
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Approximate dimensions (width × depth × height): 34 × 21 × 40 cm
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Pot size: Under 16 cm
Interesting facts
Taxus is one of the longest-lived trees on the planet: centuries-old specimens can be found in nature, some over 1,000 years old. Its wood is extremely hard and dense, yet remarkably elastic and flexible – qualities that made it the preferred material in ancient times for building war and hunting bows.
Position
Place it outdoors in full sunlight all year round. Taxus needs both sunlight and winter cold to produce its characteristic red fruits. Not suitable for indoor cultivation.
Watering
Abundant in summer, moderate in winter. Avoid waterlogging, always ensuring that the substrate has good drainage.
Fertilization
In spring and autumn, use the organic-mineral fertilizer Hiryo Gold or the fast-acting fertilizer Nutribonsai.
Repotting
Every 3–5 years, at the beginning of spring. After repotting, watering with Mistral Bonsai’s Vitabonsai revitalizer is recommended to speed up the plant’s recovery.
Substrate
Terrabonsai – a special bonsai substrate that meets the plant’s water and nutritional needs, promoting root development and overall vigor.
Pruning
During winter. When pruning, always leave leaves and buds on the branch: a completely bare branch tends to dry out.
Pinching
In spring: pinch the new shoots with your fingers during the growing season to encourage branching. If you want the plant to produce fruit, wait until flowering has finished before intervening.
Wiring
From September to March, during the vegetative dormancy period.
