Monday, July 29, 2013

Thuja plicata 'Whipcord' a hardy Cousin Itt?

Some of you might remember my excitement last August when I scored an Acacia cognata Cousin Itt after the Farwest Show here in Portland. Sadly it’s never looked as good as it did the day I brought it home. It’s just not as lush and full...

In fact you could say it’s “balding”...obviously the container life is not agreeing with it.

Of course that didn’t stop me from falling in lust all over again when I saw these recently at Bauman Farms

So fabulous!

However as I looked to the top of the display I noticed something else, another plant with that crazy “cousin itt” look. I must have been really intrigued because I didn’t take a single photo of the display. As I was reading the (less than helpful) tag Andrew walked up behind me. Turns out he’d been eyeing this one too. I give you Thuja plicata 'Whipcord'...

Awfully cute right? And best of all hardy to zone 5! From Klehm’s Song Sparrow: “Discovered in a Oregon nursery, this unusual form of the Western Red Cedar is distinguished by long, thick glossy thread-like tendrils. Slow growing, multi-branched globe shaped mound. Dark green foliage turns bronze in winter.” I’m so happy with this little guy I can almost overlook the fact that I bought a conifer (!!??!!) and that it might eventually be 5’x5.’

Of course that wasn’t the only thing I bought. How can you pass up a perfect Agave ‘sharkskin’ for only $12.99. You can’t!

That one on the left (below) with the label lying across it is now in my garden.

Andrew was also drawn to this Cupressus glabra ‘Blue Ice’ but one conifer at a time is enough for me, after all I have my reputation to consider.

I leave you with an image of these fabulous succulent plantings. Since they were in this exact spot last summer when I visited Bauman's I’m guessing they stayed right here all winter. Not bad!

All material © 2009-2013 by Loree Bohl for danger garden. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited.

17 comments:

  1. Very nice, it is slow growing so the 5x5 might be a few years away. Plenty of time to enjoy the shape even if it is a conifer. Considering two at once would be quite a change for the Danger Garden. Those shapes are sculptural so there's always that angle.

    Agave sharkskin is a pretty one, there are so many pretty ones.

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    1. So many pretty ones indeed, is it wrong to want them all?

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  2. Whipcord is gorgeous and isn't fussy bout lighting like some stars are! I'm glad you found each other! Cupressus arizonica v. glabra 'Blue Ice' AKA Blue Arizona Cypress would work very well in your dry garden. As an added bonus, you could keep it in a pot for a year or two and use it as your Christmas tree. They smell wonderful!

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    1. Have you grown both of these then? I swear Peter there isn't a plant out there that you haven't grown.

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    2. Yes, and surprisingly these two are still alive. I've killed a lot of plants in my time!

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  3. I think I actually like that 'Whipcord'! BTW, if you don't think cedars are "Danger-ous" enough, you've obviously never worked under one and gotten those dead "prickles" down the back of your shirt.

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    1. Oh I know exactly what you're talking about. Almost like a sandbur!

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  4. I bought 'Whipcord' a couple of years ago and keep it in a pot where it can be elevated to allow it to dangle. This year R came home with another one (he hadn't noticed that we already had one) and even built a small raised bed to accommodate its dangling tendencies. I'm a conifer nut, so I rejoice in your reluctant sidling over to our side. I see 'Blue Ice' in both our futures.

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    1. Interesting about the "dangle"...I was looking to the front garden for this one and the elevation inherent in the slope would provide that...

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  5. I love 'Whipcord' and am thinking of acquiring one for myself. They are supposed to be hardy here. Good for you. that's a great purchase. Conifers rock!

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  6. Why what's wrong with conifers? ;) There are some fabulous ones out there, including the one you just bought (and the one that Andrew liked). That'll look great in a pot and wouldn't mind one for myself too!

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    1. Yes they aren't all bad, it's just that I grew up surrounded by them and swore I'd never! But now I am...

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  7. They are hardy even here.... and just a thought, you could do cornrows with the cords, braid them and the like..... not that I might have tried that last Christmas with one at the nursery!

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    1. Seriously you did? I love that! You must have made a lot of people smile.

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  8. It's a slippery slope . . . next thing you'll be planting petunias! I kid, that one is awesome. :)

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    1. And that is exactly what I'm afraid of.

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