Well now, if ya wanna make yer garden look all special and pretty-like, let me tell ya ‘bout that Whipcord Western Red Cedar. Ain’t like them regular cedar trees, no sir. This one’s a bit of a oddball. It grows up all compact and neat, kind of like a little bush, not a big ol’ towering tree. It’s from the arborvitae family, and trust me, you won’t miss it once it’s planted. This here plant, it goes by a fancy name, Thuja plicata Whipcord. But I just call it Whipcord cedar ‘cause it sounds nicer.
This tree don’t get all tall like them other ones you might see in the forest. Nah, it stays small and cute. Grows only about 4 to 5 feet high, and it spreads about the same. Now, that might not sound too big, but let me tell ya, for a garden or a yard, that’s perfect! Don’t need much space and still looks real good. A lotta folks like it ‘cause it don’t take over the whole yard like them big trees that can grow too tall and mess up your whole view.
Now, Whipcord’s got a real neat way of growin’. Unlike them other cedars, this one don’t spread out flat like a pancake. It grows up all wiry and tight. The needles on it, they’re real thin and long. When it first starts out, it’s just a little mound, kinda flattened. But give it some time, and it’ll get rounder, looking all plump and healthy, just like a good tomato plant. I tell ya, it adds a little bit of charm to any garden.
Ya can plant it anywhere, as long as it ain’t too hot or dry. It likes the ground to stay nice and damp, but don’t be gittin’ it all soaked. And don’t go planting it where it’s always dry or gets too hot, ‘cause that’ll make it all sickly and droopy. Fertile, well-drained soil is what it loves best. But if it rains enough, it’ll be right happy. Ain’t too picky ‘bout bugs or diseases, so you don’t gotta worry much. Just a little water here and there and you’re good to go!
Another thing, Whipcord cedar don’t need no fancy treatment. It’s strong stuff, naturally resistant to rot and bugs. So no need to be going around spraying it with chemicals or nothing. It can take care of itself. You might wanna trim it every now and then, maybe in the late winter or early spring, just to keep it from gettin’ too wild. But don’t go cutting it back too hard—keep it light. That’s all it needs, really. Just a little bit of love, and it’ll keep on lookin’ good.
And let me tell ya, this tree grows real slow. Don’t expect it to shoot up like a weed overnight. But after a few years, it’ll get real sturdy, and it’ll give ya a nice, rounded shape. Just make sure you mulch around the roots so it stays all happy. The mulch helps keep the moisture in, especially if you don’t get much rain. It don’t mind a little cold, either. It’s good in zones 5 to 7, so if you’re in a place that gets cold in the winter, don’t you worry—it’s tough as nails.
If you’re lookin’ for somethin’ that don’t take up too much space but still adds some beauty to your yard, this Whipcord Western Red Cedar is the way to go. It’s pretty, easy to take care of, and real hardy. No need to fuss over it much, just let it grow and do its thing. I reckon you’ll be real happy with it in your garden. It sure makes a nice addition, that’s for sure.
Tags:[Whipcord Western Red Cedar, Thuja Plicata, Dwarf Cedar, Low Maintenance Garden Plants, Evergreen Shrubs, Pacific Northwest Plants, Hardy Trees, Garden Trees, Small Cedar Trees, Landscape Plants, Thuja Plicata Whipcord]