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Whipcord Western Red Cedar

Thuja plicata 'Whipcord'

Regular price $6391
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Plant Size

Planting & Care

Where to Plant

  • Sunlight: Provide at least 6 hours of direct sun daily to maintain the plant's dense, mop-like structure. While it tolerates partial shade, excessive shade results in sparse foliage and a loss of the unique cord-like texture.
  • Soil: This cedar thrives in moist, well-drained soil rich in organic matter. If you have heavy clay, plant it in a slight mound or "raised shoulder" to prevent the roots from sitting in stagnant water.

Watering Requirements

During the first two years, check the soil daily and water whenever the top inch feels dry to establish a deep root system. Mature Whipcords are more resilient but require consistent moisture to prevent the foliage from browning at the tips. Because this species is native to the humid Pacific Northwest, drought stress will quickly lead to needle drop and stunted growth.

Pruning Tips

This slow-growing conifer naturally maintains its mounded shape and rarely requires any pruning at all. If you must tidy it up, snip back errant branches in early spring before the new growth begins. Never cut back into the old wood where no green needles are present, as these sections will not sprout new growth and you will leave a permanent hole in the canopy.

Fertilizer Needs

Apply a balanced, slow-release evergreen fertilizer in early spring as the ground thaws to support the year's growth. Avoid using high-nitrogen fertilizers after mid-summer because this forces soft new growth that won't have time to harden off before winter. This tender growth is highly susceptible to winter burn, which can damage the plant's appearance for the entire following season.

Delivery and Shipping

Preorder Shipping Schedule

We ship your plants when it's safe to transport them to your zone. Dates are estimated and subject to weather delays.

Zone 3-4 Week of March 30th
Zone 5 Week of March 16th
Zone 6-12 Week of March 2nd


Shipping Rates

Ships in 3-4 business days • Tracking provided • Weather protected

Under $50 $9.99
$50 - $99.99 $14.99
$100 - $149.99 $16.99
$150 - $198.99 $24.99
$199+ FREE

✓ Zone-specific timing • ✓ Professional packaging • ✓ Health guarantee

An interesting mop-head of the evergreen world, the Whipcord Western Red Cedar (Thuja plicata 'Whipcord') maintains a rounded, globe-like form of thick, threadlike tendrils. The long foliage pushes up from the center, weeping out and downward, creating an interesting effect.

The quirky Whipcord's prized foliage also changes color! In the summer months, expect glossy green foliage. As the temperatures cool for winter, watch the foliage turn an eye-catching bronze-green hue!

The Whipcord Western Red Cedar is a cultivar of the native American plant, originating from the Pacific Northwest. Amongst other interesting facts, the Whipcord is a relatively recently discovered cultivar, from a chance seedling in 1986.

Hardy throughout USDA planting zones 5 through 7, this naturally dwarf, mounded evergreen shrub may be slow-growing but matures to a whimsical 4 - 5 feet tall and wide shrub!

Landscape Application:

The Whipcord Western Red Cedar would work wonderfully as a single, specimen plant in your landscape, raised on a berm in your front yard, or used as your foundation planting for a unique burst of curb appeal! Go big and create unique hedges that show off - both straight and winding rows or zig-zagging screening.

Try Whipcord planted in groups for additional appeal and to catch the eye. Imagine a few planted amongst the larger stones in your rock garden, or the edges of your rain gardens because these shrubs tolerate higher moisture.

This is a truly unique Thuja and works well as an unusual planter thriller that will show off on sunny porches, patios, and throughout your balcony gardens in the sun where you can enjoy these curious plants up close and personal!

  • Unique Weeping Shape
  • Long Thread-Like Branching
  • Color Changing Evergreen
  • Easy to Care For!
  • Cultivar Of The Hardy US Native
  • Unique Specimens, Screening, Planters & Hedges

#ProPlantTips for Care:

This easy-to-care-for plant prefers full to partial sun exposure in a well-drained soil site. Provide regular moisture throughout the first year in the ground but once established, they become drought resistant. Prune if needed lightly to shape and train after new foliage has emerged in the late spring.

  • Full Sun
  • Well-Drained Soil
  • Moderate Moisture Needs - Low Once Established
  • Prune After Flush Of Spring Growth
  • Not High On Deer Nibble Lists

Wherever you choose to plant the Whipcord Western Red Cedar, it's sure to be a talking point! Order soon before Nature Hills Nursery runs out!

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