Woody > Thuja > Thuja plicata > Thuja plicata 'Whipcord'
Thuja plicata
'Whipcord'
Whipcord Arborvitae
Mike's
Opinion
"
Barely seen in the average landscape, long scaled foliage takes some getting use to but boasts year round interest; grafted forms appear unkempt and overgrown like a mop atop a short stalk. Grown at ground level in is an unusual accent plant, grown as a standard it is a hideous affair.
Michael Pascoe, NDP., ODH., CLT., MSc. (Plant Conservation)
"
| Family |
| Cupressaceae |
| Genus |
| Thuja |
| Species |
| plicata |
| Cultivar |
| 'Whipcord' |
| Category |
| Woody |
| Type |
| Shrub (evergreen) |
| USDA Hardiness Zone |
| 5 - 7a |
| Canadian Hardiness Zone |
| 6 |
| RHS Hardiness Zone |
| H6 |
| Temperature (°C) |
| -21 - (-15) |
| Temperature (°F) |
| -5 - 5 |
| Height |
| 1 – 1.5 m |
| Spread |
| 1 – 1.5 m |
Photographs
Awards
Description and Growing Information
Flowering Period
| General Description |
| Small, mounded shrub is sparse with sprays of long thread-like scaled foliage. |
| Landscape |
| Can be used in rock gardens, garden border grafted forms may be used as a specimen plant in the landscape. |
| Cultivation |
| Plant in full sun to partial shade on moist, well-drained soils, growth will be stunted if planted in dry place, pH adaptable. |
| Shape |
| Mounded and mop-like with sprays of cord-like foliage which radiates upwards from the center and cascades to the ground. |
| Growth |
| Slow |
| ID Characteristic |
| Long cord-like scaled foliage, very slow growing, appears low growing and mounded with shoots cascading from the center stalk. Bronze winter colour. |
| Pests |
| Bagworms and sun scorch can be problematic. Deer resistant. |
| Habitat |
| Horticultural origin. |
| Bark/Stem Description |
| Older bark is dark brown-bronze and smooth; younger stems are reddish-brown overlapping, acuminate scales, each with one tiny ‘bubble’ dot. |
| Flower/Leaf Bud Description |
| Terminal bud is absent. |
| Leaf Description |
| Sprays of cord-like foliage is appressed, oval-obvate scales appear two ranked. |
| Flower Description |
| Non-flowering. |
| Fruit Description |
| Cultivar does not produce fruit. |
| Colour Description |
| Summer foliage is bright green and darkens in the winter with hints of bronze tones typical of the Thuja genus. |
| Texture Description |
| Medium |
| Propagation |
| Fully-ripe cuttings should be taken in December – January when the plant is dormant. Cut 7 - 12 cm from the parent plant, preferably with a “heel” still attached. Remove any leaves on the bottom third of the cutting and place in propagation bench with bottom heat treated with 8,000 ppm of IBA and mist. |
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