Taxodium distichum 'PEVE MINARET'

Bald cypress is one of the few trees that love not just moist but also wet places which makes them ideal for locations with bad or non existent drainage with lots of water remaining after rainfalls, or for lake and river banks. They are long-lived trees, the species can live 500 years or so. They were originally found in swampy forests or by river margins from S.E. USA to Guatemala. Currently there are a few varieties in the market suitable for small or even tiny gardens.

Peve Minaret is the one bald cypress perfect for the smallest of gardens. This dwarf plant is a conifer with linear, bright green, deciduous leaves. The branchlets grow only a few centimetres per year forming a neat and beautiful shrub. Though it loves plenty of water you can use it in a rockery, just make sure you water it well the first year after transplanting to establish good root system. Well established plants are surprisingly drought tolerant.

Bald cypress will grow in any moist or wet soil, preferably acidic in full sun or partial shade. They may become chlorotic in chalky soil which they will manifest by yellow leaves. Pruning can be done before spring on dwarf varieties. Pendent forms may be trimmed in early spring and again in early summer for denser habit, but not necessarily. Fully hardy to min. -29°C (USDA zone 5).

Last update 13-07-2008