Taxodium Distichum (Swamp Cypress)

The Swamp Cypress is the best conifer for wet soils.

A native of the Florida Everglades, it is thought of as a pyramidal grower but interestingly the national champion in the USA is 28 metres tall by 29 metres wide suggesting seed variability.

Introduced in the early 1640s by John Tradescant it won the updated Award of Garden Merit in 2002.

This large, deciduous, pyramidal conifer has fibrous, brown bark and small, round cones, which are purple when young.

It does best in wet soils, and needs plenty of moisture in its first year after planting if it is to succeed.

A good choice for parks and often confused with Metasequoia until seen close together.

Foliage is always late to appear in the spring, particularly after planting, but it generally starts growing at full pelt from July onwards.

Mature height: 20m+