Great Plant Pick: Weeping Alaskan yellow cedar

Published 1:30 am Thursday, February 2, 2023

What: Xanthocyparis nootkatensis ‘Green Arrow,’ the Weeping Alaskan yellow cedar, is a beautiful native conifer of the Pacific Northwest, and ‘Green Arrow’ is an exceptional selection. This clone’s extremely narrow growth habit forms an exclamation point in the garden. Its side branches hang closely against the trunk, especially as they mature. The tree’s silhouette gives the impression of a green arrow rocketing toward the sky. This evergreen is great for small gardens or tight spaces.

Where: This narrow evergreen grows best in full sun but tolerates light and open shade. It adapts to a variety of soils, from sandy sites to clay, provided the location is well-drained.

Size: Grows to 18 feet tall by 2 feet wide in 10 years. Ultimate height is 35 feet.

Care: Once established it is very drought tolerant, requiring little to no summer watering even during prolonged droughts. Occasionally a side branch will reach out from the trunk. This often adds interest to the overall shape, but if width is a concern, it can be removed where it joins the main trunk. Pruning is best done in the winter.

— greatplantpicks.org