Hicks Yew Hedge - From One-Gallon Pots to Year Seven - August 2026

Seven years ago, I planted a hedge.  Or, what was (hopefully) something that was going to grow INTO a hedge.  Of Hicks (upright) Yews.  I bought 15 (fifteen) very small, one-gallon pots of the evergreen columnar shrub and planted them on about 30" centers across the back of our yard.  When I say "very small", I mean "very small".  

The last time that I looked at this hedge was in January, when everything in the garden was dormant and the green needles of the Yews stood out.  

Below are a few photos showing the current state of this hedge.  Is it a hedge, yet?  Well...not quite.  But, we're getting close.

They're filling in the gaps (not totally) and growing up (in an uneven fashion).  The inspiration for using these (well...) yews was an undulating hedge that I found on Instagram.  I also found "Wirtz hedges" that are sort-of cloud-pruned.  

So, that means that the 'uneven-ness' isn't a bug.  It is (potentially) a feature.  

I have not touched these in the seven years they've been in the ground.  No pruning.  No shaping.  Nothing.  

I'm not sure that it is time just yet, but I can't help but wonder if I prune some of the tips...will that drive out some lateral growth from the bottom?  And, help fill in the gaps fully?  

Here's what they looked like in November of 2024.  In the 18 months since, I can certainly see a bunch of growth.  All, despite these mostly being on auto-pilot.  I don't water them any longer.  They are established enough to sustain their own lives.  

The other thing that these photos has me thinking is about what is planted "under" them on the garden-facing side.  In 2023, I planted a bunch of very small Autumn Fern plugs under the Yews.  But, they didn't make it.  At least, that's what I thought.  

Have a look at one of the photos I posted above.  Here, below, is an annotated version of it.  What is...that??

Wait a second.  

Zoom in.  

That right there is an Autumn Fern.  One of my favorite ferns.  It has made it.  Without any real help in  terms of watering. A survivor.

That's a start. But, maybe this can be a Fall Planting 2026 project?

I wrote this in January:

The feet of these is a candidate for lazy bed extensions.  I'd like to extend these out and plant a row in front of them.  Seslaria?  Carex?  Polka Dot plant as an annual?  Something that works in shade, for sure.  And, something that is BRIGHT to draw your eye back there.  

Autumn Ferns would be lovely.  But, have I learned my lesson a few years ago?  Planting Autumn Ferns in the Fall doesn't have the strongest track record.   Carex Montana, on the other hand....has done really well.  And, they're available in plug-size (and plug-price!).