Whipcord Arborvitae - Thuja plicata 'Whipcord' | Limited Release

Limited Release - Buy Now for Pickup at The Ranch on the weekend of October 18th at our Garlic Smash event!

Thuja plicata 'Whipcord'–also known as the Whipcord Arborvitae–is a popular cultivar of the grandiose Western Red Cedar–but you would never know since they look completely different. Just like a hidden treasure, 'Whipcord' was only discovered by chance. In 1986, the original 'Whipcord' plant was a spontaneous seedling found in a seedbed at Drakes Crossing Nursery in Oregon. While the Western Red Cedar is a towering giant of a plant, 'Whipcord' defies its genetics and has a dwarf, shrubby habit with wildly different foliage.

As the name suggests, 'Whipcord' features tassel-like branches that cascade and weep in graceful arches. The foliage is long, thin, and has a watch-chain-like appearance, remaining a deep, verdant green all year long until winter. In the wintertime, the foliage on these funky evergreens turns a rich coppery-bronze color for added interest in the garden year-round.

This dwarf evergreen shrub reaches a petite height of 4-5 feet tall and wide in maturity, making it perfect for small spaces, rock gardens, mixed conifer gardens, or even planted in a stand-alone container. The Whipcord Arborvitae needs regular, frequent waterings to form deep roots and establish itself, and it prefers being in full sun conditions outdoors.