Western red cedar Whipcord
A distinctive, dwarf variety of the Western red cedar, this unusual evergreen conifer brings a completely unique texture and form to the garden. It is highly celebrated for its long, arching, cord-like branches that lack the typical flat sprays of the species, resulting in a low mound that closely resembles a mop of thick green string. The main foliage consists of glossy, scale-like leaves that tightly hug the pendulous stems. Throughout the Spring and Summer, the plant is a vibrant, rich green, but it undergoes a striking transformation as the cold weather arrives, turning a warm, rich bronze-brown for the winter months. Because of its naturally cascading habit, it is an excellent choice for adding soft movement and structural contrast when positioned over walls or container edges. This slow-growing, low-maintenance shrub is incredibly easy to care for and requires no routine clipping to maintain its neat, fountain-like shape. It is robust, long-lived, and creates an eye-catching focal point in smaller garden settings.
Site: Needs some shelter from harsh drying winds
Soil: Prefers moist, well-drained, fertile soil. Dislikes waterlogged ground
Position: Full sun, tolerates partial shade
Season of Interest: Year-round architectural appeal with rich green summer foliage that shifts to a warm bronze in Winter
Hardiness: Fully hardy
Height: 1.5ft - 3ft (0.5 - 1m) in 10 yrs Spread: 3-4 ft (1 - 1.2m) in 10 yrs
Image by Leonora (Ellie) Enking cropped, and licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0
Image 2 by F. D. Richards cropped, and licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0
