Taxus x media 39hicksii39 is a female yew variety with an upright columnar habit bright red berries and dark45green foliage a compact cultivar it is faster growing than the commonly seen english yew and makes an excellent evergreen hedge however hicksii is equally spectacular when allowed to grow unpruned and forms a majestic upright conifer with dense foliage yews are particularly adaptable and will thrive in almost any position 45 from full sun to deep shade on acid