World Plants

Taxodium distichum (Bald Cypress, Swamp Cypress)

Michael's Opinion

An excellent but underused plant since it is not widely known and I suspect many think it not hardy since they see it growing in Florida; but so does our Red Maple (Acer rubrum). It has much to offer compared to some of the static evergreens: bark, texture and autumn colour.

Botanical Information

Family	Taxodiaceae
Genus	Taxodium
Species	distichum
Category	Woody
Type	Tree (deciduous)
Pronunciation

Details

USDA Hardiness Zone	7b - 8a
USDA Hardiness Ref.
Canadian Hardiness Zone	7
Canada Hardiness Ref.
RHS Hardiness Zone	H5-H7
RHS Hardiness Ref.
Temperature (°C)	-15 - (-9)
Temperature (°F)	5 - 15
Growth	Medium
Flowering Period	June

Description and Growing Information

General Description	Taxodium distichum is a large, broadly pyramidal plant with a rounded top and medium growth rate. It is a deciduous conifer with very fine, fern-like leaves and rough brown bark, producing knees in wet areas.
Pests	None of note that I have encountered in Ontario gardens.
Notable Specimens	The Gardens of Fanshawe College, London, Ontario, Canada. A.M. Cuddy Gardens, Strathroy, Ontario, Canada. Niagara Parks Botanical Gardens, Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada. Whistling Gardens, Wilsonville, Ontario, Canada.
Bark/Stem Description	Pale beige to light brown with thin narrow plates that do not shed to the same degree as the similar-looking Dawn Redwood.
Flower/Leaf Bud Description	On mature branches and twigs the buds are slender, pointed and prominent.
Leaf Description	Compound, 6 - 8 cm in length, with many narrow, fern-like leaflets.
Flower Description	Monoecious, staminate in dropping, 10 - 12 cm long panicles.
Colour Description	Rust brown in the autumn.
Texture Description	A finely textured plant.