Photo of Thuja plicata 'Whipcord' foliage by Danger Garden

Photo by Danger Garden

Used with permission, all rights reserved

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Buy Thuja plicata 'Whipcord'

Also Known As

  • Whipcord Dwarf Western Red Cedar

Plant type

shrub, conifer

size

  • H: 4'-5'
  • W: 4'-5'

planting zones

  • 5a-9b

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Thuja plicata 'Whipcord' plant details

Thuja plicata 'Whipcord' is a slow-growing evergreen conifer shrub with green foliage. Features grassy texture. Grows well with sun - mostly shade and even moisture - regular water. Does well in average, rich and well-drained soil. A good option if you're seeking something verticillium wilt resistant.

CHARACTERISTICS OF Thuja plicata 'Whipcord'

Plant type: conifer shrub
Plant family: cupressaceae
Foliage: evergreen green
Mature size: 4 FT - 5 FT - wide, 4 FT - 5 FT - tall
Uses: border plant, cascading, compact, container plant, dwarf, rock garden, year round interest

GROWING CONDITIONS for Thuja plicata 'Whipcord'

USDA Zones: 5a - 9b
Sun exposure: sun - mostly shade
Watering frequency: even moisture - regular
Resistant to: deer and rabbit, verticillium wilt
Soil needs: average, rich and well-drained

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Nursery contributed plant descriptions

Thin, wiry branches protrude in every direction from this dwarf bun of peculiar foliage. Discovered by Barbara Hupp.
The extremely unique 'whipcord' like foliage on this low, mounding, 4-5' mop- like shrub consists of long, arching branches that all radiate out from the center. Nothing at all the species, which is a large tree! The branches of this wonderful accent plant are a vibrant, bright-green in summer and take on a lovely bronze tint in the winter. Makes a wonderful conversation piece in the garden! Discovered at Drakes Crossing Nursery, Silverton, Oregon. S/M
The dreadlocks of the conifer world, this mop headed pretty forms a 4-5’ mound of arching, whipcord-like branches that grow upward before gracefully cascading earthward. The glossy green foliage takes on a warm bronze cast for winter. Sun to part shade, prefers cool summers and dislikes being dry and hot. Moist, fertile, well drained soils will make this happy. Tolerates heavier soils if not summer wet. Grows near Black Walnut.
A dense, multi-stemmed evergreen shrub with fine texture and graceful arching branches. Bronze winter color.
Discovered in a Oregon nursery, this unusual form of the Western Red Cedar is distinguished by long, thick glossy thread-like tendrils. Slow growing, multi-branched globe shaped mound. Dark green foliage turns bronze in winter.
Thuja plicata 'Whipcord' The unusual foliage on this low, mop-head-like plant consists of long, thick, glossy tendrils that suggest Independence Day fireworks. Unlike the species, which is a giant forest tree, the many branches seem to explode upward and send sparks cascading in all directions. Green in summer, the foliage changes to bronze in winter, matching the richly colored wood. Every garden can accommodate the small, dynamic conifer (only about 5' tall and 4' wide) that demonstrates some deer resistance. Found in a seedbed of Western Red Cedar at Drakes Crossing Nursery, Silverton, Oregon.
Similar in general appearance to Thuja occidentalis 'Filiformis' with the leaves reduced to scaly lizards tails, dangling downwards as if hung by Shrikes in Hitchcockian numbers it is a horror to some.
Dark green foliage on whipcord branchlets, mounding form, turns bronzy in winter. USDA Zones 5-8

Gardening facts about Thuja plicata 'Whipcord' plant

How to Grow Thuja plicata 'Whipcord'

  • Sun Exposure

    • sun - mostly shade
  • Water Needs

    • even moisture - regular
  • Soil Needs

    • average
    • well-drained
    • rich
  • Special Situation

    • verticillium wilt resistant

Features

  • Foliage Color

    • green
  • Wildlife

    • deer resistant
    • rabbit resistant
  • Foliage Season

    • evergreen
  • Texture

    • grassy

See other plant types of Thuja for your garden

aka Western Red Cedar, Zebra Giant Arbor, Zebra Red Cedar, Zebrina Western Arborvitae

Plant Type

Tree, Conifer

Zones

5a-10b

Size

Height: 30'-50'

Width: 8'-20'

  • sun - dappled shade
  • even moisture - regular
Photo of Thuja plicata 'Zebrina' form by Karl Gercens III
View Plant

aka Thuja occidentalis 'Danika', Danica Arborvitae

Plant Type

Shrub, Conifer

Zones

2a-8b

Size

Height: 1'-2'

Width: 1'-2'

  • sun - dappled shade
  • even moisture - regular
Photo of Thuja occidentalis 'Danica' foliage by Bloom River Gardens
View Plant

Scientific Name: Thuja occidentalis 'Smaragd'

aka American Arborvitae, Emerald Green Arborvitae

Plant Type

Tree, Conifer

Zones

3a-8b

Size

Height: 12'-14'

Width: 3'-4'

  • sun - mostly sun
  • even moisture - regular
Photo of Thuja occidentalis 'Emerald' by The Kinsey Family Farm
View Plant

aka Can Can Red Cedar

Plant Type

Tree, Conifer

Zones

5a-10b

Size

Height: 6'-8'

Width: 4'-5'

  • sun
  • even moisture - regular
Photo of Thuja plicata 'Can Can' foliage by Dancing Oaks Nursery
View Plant

aka American Arborvitae, Eastern Arborvitae, Northern White Cedar

Plant Type

Tree, Conifer

Zones

2a-8b

Size

Height: 60'

Width: 15'

  • sun
  • even moisture - drought tolerant
Photo of Thuja occidentalis form by Albert Jankowski
View Plant

More Options

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