Thuja plicata 'Whipcord’

Thuja plicata ‘Whipcord’: Cascading Green Cords with Winter Bronze

With its rope-like, drooping foliage and compact, mounded shape, Thuja plicata ‘Whipcord’ looks like a living fountain of evergreen texture. Glossy, scale-like dark green “cords” rise from the centre, then arch and cascade downward, creating a sculptural form that stands out in every season. As temperatures drop, the foliage picks up warm bronze tones, adding a subtle winter glow. It’s an easy, design-forward conifer that brings movement and personality to the garden without demanding much space.

Plant Characteristics:

• Height: 90 cm
• Spread: 75–90 cm
• Flower Colour: Inconspicuous
• Flowering Period: Inconspicuous
• Foliage: Glossy dark green, scale-like foliage that droops and cascades; bronzing in winter
• Sunlight Requirements: Full sun to part shade
• Soil Requirements: Moist, well-drained soil

Uses and Benefits: ‘Whipcord’ is ideal for foundation plantings, rock gardens, and modern mixed borders where texture is just as important as colour. Use it as a low focal point near paths and patios, or repeat it to create a rhythm of soft, cascading mounds through a planting. Its refined, thread-like look pairs beautifully with boulders, gravel, and broadleaf shrubs, and the winter bronzing helps keep cold-season landscapes feeling warm and intentional.

Care Instructions: Plant in full sun to part shade in well-drained soil, and water regularly during the first growing season to establish strong roots. Once established, keep moisture consistent during prolonged dry spells, especially in summer heat. Mulch helps conserve moisture and protects the root zone, particularly in exposed sites. Pruning is rarely needed, but you can lightly trim stray tips in late winter or early spring to maintain a crisp outline.

History: Thuja plicata, commonly known as western red cedar, is native to the Pacific Northwest and valued for its longevity and evergreen presence. ‘Whipcord’ was selected as a dwarf, shrubby form with an unusually corded, cascading texture, bringing a distinctly architectural look to smaller gardens and refined landscapes.

Final Thoughts: If you want an evergreen that feels fresh, textural, and a little unexpected, ‘Whipcord’ delivers a compact cascade of green that looks just as good in winter as it does in summer.