Lizard’s Tail Swamp Lily

Saururus cernuus

Other Common Names: American Swamp Lily, Water Dragon Lily, Lizard’s Tail, Water-Dragon

Plant Details

USDA Plant Hardiness Zones: 3a-9b Find Your Zone

Plant Type: Native Wetland Plant

Height or Length at Maturity: 1-3’

Width at Maturity: 1-2’
Spacing: 1-2’ apart for mass plantings

Growth Habit / Form: Upright, Rhizomatous

Growth Rate: Fast

Flower Color: White
Flower Type: Cylindrical spike-like racemes

Flower Size: 6 to 12″ long
Flowering Period: Late Spring through Late Summer

Fragrant Flowers: Yes, pleasant citrus aroma

Foliage Color: Green

Fragrant Foliage: Yes, Aromatic

Berries: Green fruits

Sun Needs: Full Sun to Full Shade, flowers heavier with more sun

Water Needs: Average, High

Soil Type: Clay, Loam, Sand, Silt

Soil Drainage: Wet

Soil pH: 5.5 – 8.0

Maintenance / Care: Very Low

Attracts: Visual attention

Resistances: Deer, Disease, Mildew, Heat, Humidity, Insect, Wet Soil,

Description

A North American native marginal aquatic perennial plant with lots of character and sure to be a conversation piece in the garden, Lizard’s Tail is great for use as a groundcover in sunny or shady wet and swampy areas or and the margins of lakes or slow moving streams, or in containers that can be submerged in the margin of the garden pond. Also called Waters Dragon, from late spring to late summer this plant features unusual looking spike-like racemes of fragrant white flowers that arch over like a candy cane above clumps of attractive heart-shaped leaves. The nodding flower spikes resemble a lizard’s tail, hence the common name. The flowers, leaves and roots of this plant have a generally pleasant citrus aroma so plant it near sitting areas where the fragrance can be enjoyed.

Landscape & Garden Uses

Growing 2 to 3 feet tall and equally as wide as it spreads fast over time, Lizard’s Tail Swamp Lily is a perfect choice for use as a groundcover in consistently moist to wet sites. It looks great planted at the waters edge of ponds, small lakes and stream banks and also around rocks and boulders around the garden pond. It is perfect for growing in containers that can be submerged in the edge of the garden pond. A nice vertical accent in container water gardens. A fine addition to bog gardens, wetland gardens, pond gardens, native gardens, fragrance gardens and native gardens.

Suggested Spacing: 1 to 2 feet for grouping or mass planting

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Growing Preferences

Lizard’s Tail Swamp Lily is very easy to grow in most any consistently moist to wet and muddy soil of average fertility and full sun to full shade. Can be grown in pots that are situated at the margins of the garden pond. It is essentially maintenance free, naturalizing by spreading roots.

Helpful Articles

Click on the link below for helpful tips on planting aquatic plants…

How To Plant Aquatic Plants in the Garden Pond

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