Accent trees in the garden are good garden conversation starters. Planting something out of the ordinary brings attention to the garden where an otherwise common plant may not. One of my favorite accent plants in my Raleigh garden is a Taxodium distichum ‘Cascade Falls’, or weeping Bald Cypress Cupressaceae (Cypress). I’ll admit, I have a thing for the weepers.
Weeping plants are architectural wonders. According to the JC Raulston Arboretum, “Weeping growth habit is a genetically controlled trait, usually caused by single gene mutations. These mutations impact the normal response of the plant to gravity called the geotropic response, resulting in weeping rather than upright branching.” Click Here to read about Hydrangea anomala subsp. petiolaris – climbing hydrangea – 2011 Showstopper Plant.
Taxodium distichum ‘Cascade Falls’, or weeping Bald Cypress Cupressaceae (Cypress) prefers moist soil (I have mine planted near the fountain), attracts wildlife including butterflies to their inconspicuous blooms, and birds feed on its edible fruit. Weeping Bald Cypress is a deciduous conifer found in eastern North America through Florida along water coarses and in swamps.
Bright green spirally needles soften the landscape with their graceful weeping limbs. The weeping Bald Cypress ‘Cascade Falls’ exfoliating bark also adds winter interest.
Adding a weeping accent plant to your North Carolina landscape gives more than interest, but just may start some interesting conversation!
More to read: Where to Find the Freshest Blooms for Delivery