Weeping Nootka Cypress Brings Character to the Garden Year-Round

The weeping Nootka cypress (Callitropsis nootkatensis ‘Pendula’) is an evergreen tree with lots of personality, thanks to its draping, drooping branches. This conifer would fit right into a Dr. Seuss book. It makes a dramatic addition to the garden where it can add visual interest all year.

Common name: Weeping Nootka cypress; weeping yellow Alaska cedar

Botanical name: Nootka cypress has been reclassified under different closely related genera several times since its first description in 1824. It has been called Cupressus nootkatensis; Xanthocyparis nootkatensis ; and Chamaecyparis nootkatensis. The most recent research puts it as the sole species in the genus Callitropsis. Gardeners may find any of these names in use at nurseries when looking for a Nootka cypress.

Exposure: Full sun to part sun

Foliage: Nootka cypress has flat, scale-like leaves held in long, feathery sprays. New growth is light to medium green; it darkens with age.

Related: For a smaller conifer with great character and similar foliage, check out Jade Waves falsecypress.

Habit: 'Pendula' Nootka cypress has a straight, upright trunk lined with branches that dip down then swoop upward at their tips. This gives the tree a gently weeping form. It grows to 25 feet or taller, at a relatively quick pace (12 inches per year in good conditions). The base of the tree spans 12 to 15 feet. The branches narrow toward the top of the tree, creating a narrow pyramid shape.

Related: Read about another fantastic large conifer with weeping branches, the Himalayan white pine.

Origin: The species Callitropsis nootkatensis is native to streams and ravines of southeastern Alaska south down the Pacific Coast through Canada and the US Pacific Northwest into northern California. The specific epithet—nootkatensis—refers to Nootka Sound, an inlet bordering Vancouver Island. 'Pendula' is a cultivar selected for its growth habit.

How to grow it: Site this conifer in full to part sun in neutral to acidic soil with good fertility and drainage. Provide afternoon shade in the warmer reaches of its growing zones. Weeping Nootka cypress grows best with regular moisture, but once it is established it can withstand short droughts. It prefers humid climates and may crisp in dry air. Choose its placement carefully, being sure to consider its ultimate width and height. Avoid pruning the weeping Nootka cypress, as this would detract from its iconic natural form. USDA Zones 4–8.

Image credits: Foliage detail by F. D. Richards/CC BY-SA 2.0 DEED; Entire tree by F. D. Richards/CC BY-SA 2.0 DEED