Saururus Species, Dragon's Tail, Lizard's Tail, Swamp Root, Water Dragon

Saururuscernuus

Genus
Saururus (saw-roo-rus)
Species
cernuus (SER-new-us)
Synonym
Sun Exposure
Sun to Partial Shade
Foliage
Herbaceous
Height
18-24 in. (45-60 cm)
24-36 in. (60-90 cm)
Spacing
12-15 in. (30-38 cm)
Hardiness
USDA Zone 5a: to -28.8 °C (-20 °F)
USDA Zone 5b: to -26.1 °C (-15 °F)
USDA Zone 6a: to -23.3 °C (-10 °F)
USDA Zone 6b: to -20.5 °C (-5 °F)
USDA Zone 7a: to -17.7 °C (0 °F)
USDA Zone 7b: to -14.9 °C (5 °F)
USDA Zone 8a: to -12.2 °C (10 °F)
USDA Zone 8b: to -9.4 °C (15 °F)
USDA Zone 9a: to -6.6 °C (20 °F)
USDA Zone 9b: to -3.8 °C (25 °F)
USDA Zone 10a: to -1.1 °C (30 °F)
USDA Zone 10b: to 1.7 °C (35 °F)
USDA Zone 11: above 4.5 °C (40 °F)
Danger
Pollen may cause allergic reaction
Bloom Color
White/Near White
Bloom Time
Mid Summer
Late Summer/Early Fall
Mid Fall
Other Details
Category
Perennials
Ponds and Aquatics
Water Requirements
Very high moisture needs; suitable for bogs and water gardens
Foliage Color
Where to Grow
Bloom Characteristics
Bloom Size
Other details
Soil pH requirements
6.6 to 7.5 (neutral)
7.6 to 7.8 (mildly alkaline)
7.9 to 8.5 (alkaline)
Patent Information
Non-patented
Propagation Methods
By dividing rhizomes, tubers, corms or bulbs (including offsets)
Seed Collecting
N/A: plant does not set seed, flowers are sterile, or plants will not come true from seed
Regional

This plant is said to grow outdoors in the following regions:

Vincent, Alabama

Morrilton, Arkansas

Merced, California

Santa Clara, California

Smyrna, Delaware

Bartow, Florida

Boca Raton, Florida

Brandon, Florida

Fort Lauderdale, Florida

Green Cove Springs, Florida

Niceville, Florida

Oldsmar, Florida

Port Saint Joe, Florida

Sarasota, Florida(2 reports)

Barnesville, Georgia

Broxton, Georgia

Cordele, Georgia

Hanna City, Illinois

Ewing, Kentucky

Gramercy, Louisiana

Mandeville, Louisiana

Pownal, Maine

Crofton, Maryland

Fallston, Maryland

Mathiston, Mississippi

Olive Branch, Mississippi

Sturgis, Mississippi

Fredericton, New Brunswick

Croton On Hudson, New York

Elizabeth City, North Carolina

Greenville, North Carolina

Kinston, North Carolina

Raleigh, North Carolina

Chesterland, Ohio

Corning, Ohio

Wrightsville, Pennsylvania

Murfreesboro, Tennessee

Viola, Tennessee

Arlington, Texas

Dallas, Texas

Fort Worth, Texas

Houston, Texas

Jacksonville, Texas

Mansfield, Texas

Santa Fe, Texas

La Verkin, Utah

Salt Lake City, Utah

Canvas, West Virginia

Charleston, West Virginia

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Featured Videos

Gardener's Notes:

10
positives
2
neutrals
2
negatives
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K
K
Raleigh, NC | June 2015 | positive

I placed my Lizard Tail in a pot into my koi pond about 15 years ago. It grew and bloomed with no attention at all. About 5 years ago I ...Read More

F
Vacherie, LA (Zone 9a) | May 2014 | positive

I grow mine in a plastic pot with no holes at the bottom to create a nice soggy mush in which it can live. I'm surprised to see people c...Read More

P
Green Cove Springs, FL | April 2013 | positive

I love this plant! I have a clump of these growing amongst the fern in a damp part of my yard, near my natural spring. It grows in filt...Read More

G
Meriden, CT (Zone 6b) | February 2011 | neutral

I think some folks are confusing this plant with "Gooseneck Loosestrife" or Lysimachia clethroides. I can't say if they are in the same ...Read More

A
East Hampton, NY | February 2011 | neutral

I have something that looks just like this but I was told it was "Goosenecks".... are they the same? It has run rampant over a few years...Read More

L
Bellaire, TX | February 2011 | negative

Almost impossible to get rid of once you plant it. I had it in a bog adjacent to my pond where it was beyond aggressive, overrunning Pic...Read More

C
Barnesville, GA | February 2011 | negative

The operative comment in the description of this plant is "can be aggressive". In my view it is a mildly attractive addition that should ...Read More

R
Houston, TX (Zone 9a) | January 2008 | positive

Hardy plant, that is a vigorous grower. If your in to butterfly gardening this plant is also attractive to catipillars. My plant is oft...Read More

S
Wrightsville, PA | January 2008 | positive

I have the Saururus cernuus pictured and also have a similar one sold to me at a south central Pennsylvania garden center as "red-stemmed...Read More

F
Josephine, Arlington, TX (Zone 8a) | July 2005 | positive

Lizard's Tail is a Texas Native Bog plant. Blooms April-August, perennial up to 36 inches high.

T
T
Santa Fe, TX (Zone 9b) | June 2005 | positive

This plant came up on its own, and started blooming in early May.

It is a very attractive plant, and it gets full sun. St...Read More

H
Cincinnati, OH (Zone 6b) | June 2003 | positive

It's a biennial from seed.
We've had great luck w/ seed collecting and divisions.
A definite MUST for water gardens.
...Read More

F
F
La Verkin, UT | June 2003 | positive

Plant grows very well in the alkaly west and can provide bloom untill the frost kills top growth in late fall. It has performed well in g...Read More

T
T
Murfreesboro, TN (Zone 7a) | August 2001 | positive

Lizard's Tail is a native to the Eastern half of the U.S. It blooms in the shade, a rare trait among water plants. Very easy to grow, i...Read More

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