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Glyptostrobus pensilis (Chinese swamp cypress)

Other names: Thuja pensilis, Taxodium heterophyllum, Taxodium japonicum, Cupressus chinensis, Glyptostrobus aquaticus, Glyptostrobus sinensis, Juniperus aquatica, Sabina aquatica, Water pine, Water fir, Shui song

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Species
G. pensilis is a conical to columnar, coniferous, deciduous tree with a buttressed trunk, exfoliating, brown or grey bark, and spirally-arranged, linear, needle-like, or lance-shaped, grey-green leaves turning reddish-brown in autumn. Insignificant green flowers are followed by clusters of small, brown male cones and pear-shaped, green female cones ripening brown.
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Season of interest

Flower

Spring Summer Autumn Winter
Flower

Foliage

Spring Summer Autumn Winter
Foliage
Height and spread

Height and spread

Size Max height Max spread To maturity
25 m 12 m 50-100 years
82 ft 39 ft 50-100 years

Where to grow

Soil type
  • Clay
  • Loamy
  • Sandy
Soil drainage
  • Moisture-retentive
  • Boggy damp conditions
  • Pond/In water
Soil pH
  • Acid
  • Neutral
Sunlight
  • Full Sun
Aspect
  • East
  • West
  • South
  • North
Exposure
  • Sheltered

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Additional plant details

Cultivation

Grow in wet, neutral to acid soil in full sun. Will also grow in standing water up to 60cm (24") deep. Tolerates light shade. Do not allow soil to dry out. Produced knee-like roots when grown in water. Trunk will be less buttressed growing in soil. Classified as Critically Endangered with no known specimens in the wild in China.

Suggested uses

Architectural, Low Maintenance, Waterside, Bog garden, Sub-Tropical, Specimen tree, Banks and Slopes

UK hardiness

H4

USDA zones

Zone 8, Zone 9, Zone 10, Zone 11

Sunset zone

WUCOLS

North-Central Coastal = Moderate/Medium
Central Valley = Moderate/Medium
South Coastal = Moderate/Medium
South Inland = Moderate/Medium
High and Intermediate Desert = Inappropriate
Low Desert = Inappropriate

Foliage

Deciduous

Habit

Conical, Narrowly columnar

Native to

Southeastern China, Vietnam, Laos

Drought tolerant

No

Flood tolerant

Yes

Toxicity

Not toxic

Plant care

Pruning

Little to no pruning required.

Propagation methods

Seed, Semi-ripe cuttings, Hardwood cuttings

Pests

Diseases

Plant in moist or boggy soil

Requires little or no pruning (winter)

Plant container grown plants in a sunny sheltered spot

Sow seeds in a cold frame in autumn

Take hardwood cuttings in autumn and winter

Take semi-ripe cuttings

Other plants

Plants in this Genus (1)

Glyptostrobus

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Glyptostrobus pensilis
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Glyptostrobus pensilis Chinese swamp cypress
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