Yews have a very unique and distintive texture to the garden that provides wonderful contrast. The foliage is needle-like and very deep green. In Zone 8 there are two varieties that we use regularly in landscape plans:

'Upright Yew' (podocarpus) is an upright, columnar form that we often use as a corner plant in foundation plantings. It also makes a great screen or hedge as it can be clipped to maintain a more formal look.

'Creeping Yew' (cephalotaxus harringtonia) is just the opposite in that it grows more horizontal in form. We use creeping yew as a groundcover or specimen in shady areas of the landscape. It looks especially nice and fits in perfectly around garden ponds.

Whever either of these yews is planted it is sure to contrast micely with other plants nearby.