Saururus cernuus

RHS Plant Profile
swamp lily

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swamp lily RHS 2002

Other common names

American swamp lily, breastweed, lizard's tail, water dragon

Bogs Aquatic Herbaceous Perennial
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A marginal aquatic perennial, with deep green, heart-shaped leaves and curving spikes of tiny fragrant white flowers

Position

Full sun, Partial shade

Soil Types

Clay, Loam

Max Height

1-1.5 metres

Max Spread

0.1-0.5 metres

Size

Time to Maturity
5–10 years
Max Spread
0.1-0.5 metres
Max Height
1-1.5 metres

Growing Conditions

Clay Loam
Moisture
Poorly–drained
pH
Acid or Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full sun Partial shade
Aspect
South–facing or West–facing or East–facing
Exposure
Exposed or Sheltered
Hardiness

Hardiness Ratings

All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

  • H1A: under glass all year (>15C)
  • H1B: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
  • H1C: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
  • H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
  • H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
  • H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
  • H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
  • H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
  • H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20)
H7

Colour & Scent

Fragrance Flower
Season Stem Flower Foliage Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family
Saururaceae
Native to GB/Ireland
No
Foliage
Deciduous
Habit
Clump forming
Genus
Saururus are marginal aquatic herbaceous perennials with long-stalked, ovate leaves, heart-shaped at the base, and very small, fragrant white flowers in a slender nodding raceme in late summer
Name Status
Correct
Plant Range
Eastern N America

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow in boggy ground or pond margins in full sun or partial shade in water no deeper than 10cm. Divide regularly to maintain vigour. See pond plants and bog gardens for further advice

Propagation

Propagate by division in spring

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • Low Maintenance

Pruning

Cut back after flowering

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

Generally disease-free