Larix

• Larch (Larixs spp.) eventually grow into trees. They are native to cooler northern areas found in countries like Canada and Russia. They are conifers, meaning they have cones, just like their evergreen fir or pine cousins. There are some varieties that stay smaller, like the weeping varieties Pendula, Julian's Weeping and Varied Directions. Blue Sparkler, Blue Dwarf and Blue Rabbit have soft blue-green needles, and the Blue Sparkler and Blue Dwarf are also dwarfs. Diana and Whorled Peace have interesting contorted branches.
  
  

Taxodium

• Bald cypress (Taxodium spp.) may start life as a shrub, but will grow into a tree. It grows in moist soils in the southeastern part of the U.S. There are dwarf or semi-dwarf varieties that will stay small. Peve's Minaret is a dwarf with soft green foliage. Secrest is a dwarf, bun-shaped shrub, and Cascade Falls is a weeping variety. Cajun Snowfall is highly unusual, as it is both variegated and has a weeping habit. Some of its branches are green, and some come out pure white. It's hard to find, but well worth it for the plant collector.
  
  

Glyptostrobus

• Swamp cypress or water pin (Glyptostrobus spp.) is closely related to the bald cypress. It has no varieties and is rarely available in the retail nursery trade, but occasionally a nursery specializing in rare plants will carry it. It will eventually be a tree, and grows in moist areas and sometimes even standing water. It is almost extinct in the wild.
  
  

Metasequoia

• Dawn redwood (Metasequoia spp.) is an ancient variety that was once thought to be extinct. It eventually grows to be a tree. There are slower growing, gold-leaved varieties called Ogon and Gold Rush, which may in fact be the same variety. Little Giant and Miss Grace are semi-dwarfs growing to about 10 feet tall. Bonsai is a dwarf with twisted branches. White Spot is a semi-dwarf that has occasional white branches.