120 gardener saves
Taxodium: the varieties gardeners actually grow
We track 6 varieties; these are the ones gardeners actually save and plant, ranked by real saves rather than catalog marketing. Each links to full care, bloom, and live price data.
The 6 most-saved Taxodium varieties
Of 6 in the catalog — ordered by how many gardeners actually grow them.
#1 most savedShawnee Brave Bald Cypress
Taxodium distichum 'Mickelson'
#2 most savedGreen Whisper Bald Cypress
Taxodium distichum 'Green Whisper '
#3 most savedLindsey's Skyward Bald Cypress
Taxodium distichum 'Skyward'
Peve Minaret Bald Cypress
Taxodium distichum 'Peve Minaret'
Falling Waters Weeping Bald Cypress
Taxodium distichum 'Falling Waters'
Bald Cypress
Taxodium distichum
How to grow Taxodium
What the Taxodium varieties in our catalog actually agree on — drawn from the care records of the 6 most-grown of them, not from a generic template.
The Taxodium year
- PruneJanuary and February83% of varieties
Prune in late winter if needed to remove lower branches for clearance.
- PlantMarch, April, September and October67% of varieties
Plant in spring or fall. Ensure ample space for its mature size.
- MulchApril and October67% of varieties
Maintain a 2-inch layer of mulch to conserve moisture.
- Spring CleanupMarch50% of varieties
Rake up fallen needles from the previous season if desired.
- FertilizeMarch33% of varieties
Apply a slow-release fertilizer for conifers in early spring if needed.
Do
- Provide full sun for best growth and form.
- Water deeply during establishment and extended droughts.
- Allow plenty of space for its ultimate height and spread.
- Appreciate its natural form; minimal pruning is needed.
- Provide full sun for best growth.
Avoid
- Don't plant in deep shade.
- Don't plant it too close to buildings or power lines.
- Avoid planting in deep shade.
- Don't be alarmed when it drops its needles in fall; it's deciduous.
What goes wrong with Taxodium
| Problem | What you'll see | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Bagworms | Spindle-shaped bags made of silk and foliage hanging from branches. | Hand-pick and destroy bags in winter. Apply Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) in late spring when caterpillars are small. |
| Spider Mites | Stippling on needles, fine webbing, especially in hot, dry conditions. | Spray with a strong jet of water. Use horticultural oil or insecticidal soap. |
| Twig Blight | Browning and dieback of branch tips. | Generally not serious. Prune out affected twigs and improve air circulation. Fungicides are rarely necessary. |
| Root Rot | Decline in health in poorly drained upland soils (rarely an issue in wet sites). | Ensure proper planting depth and avoid soil compaction. Prevention is key. |
Making more Taxodium
Grafting
- Collect scion wood in winter from 'Peve Minaret'.
- Graft onto seedling rootstock of Taxodium distichum.
- Use a side-veneer or whip-and-tongue graft.
- Keep in a humid greenhouse for 2-3 months until the union heals.
Seed
- Collect cones in fall and extract seeds.
- Stratify seeds in moist sand in a refrigerator for 60-90 days.
- Sow seeds in spring in a protected seedbed.
- Germination occurs in 1-3 months.
Taxodium questions
How many types of Taxodium are there?
The Sow catalog tracks 6 distinct Taxodium varieties. The most popular — ranked by 120 real gardener saves — are shown first above.
What zones does Taxodium grow in?
Across its varieties, Taxodium covers USDA Zones 4–9. Individual varieties differ — each plant page lists its exact range, and Sow filters the catalog to your zone automatically.
When does Taxodium bloom?
Most Taxodium varieties bloom in late spring, late winter, early spring. Staggering early, mid, and late varieties extends the genus's season in one bed.
Which Taxodium should I choose?
Start from the most-saved varieties above — popularity across thousands of gardens is a strong signal of reliability — then filter by your zone and sun. In the Sow app you can preview any of them in a photo of your actual yard before you buy.
Keep exploring
Taxodium shows up in
Design with Taxodium in your own yard
Snap a photo of your space and see these varieties planted in it — sized correctly, matched to your zone, with care reminders included.
