Origin
The Taxus media 'Hicksii' is a cultivar of the Taxus x media, a cross between Taxus baccata and Taxus cuspidata. This cross first occurred in the United Kingdom in the nineteenth century. The 'Hicksii' was originally developed in the United States and it is especially well-known in North America and Europe.

Characteristics
The Taxus media 'Hicksii' is a slow growing coniferous tree and can grow to a height of 4 meters. The plant has dark green needle-like foliage. The female trees produce small red berries that contain a single seed. In the fall, these berries give the plant a picturesque appearance. The 'Hicksii' is very hardy in winter and retains its leaves in all seasons.

Care
While the Taxus media 'Hicksii' doesn't require much maintenance, there are certain aspects of care that can improve health and growth. It grows best in well-drained soil and does well in both full sun and shade. It is recommended to prune the plant in the late spring or early fall. Although it is drought tolerant, it requires an average to moist soil, and regular watering during dry periods. It is also advised to apply a mulch layer to keep the roots cool and moist.