Occasionally we are asked: ‘Where did this come from?' ‘Why does this one weep when all others are upright?’ or ‘Is it supposed to do that?’. Without getting into the science of it, which we don’t understand anyway, we offer this explanation:

Most pendulous plants originate as a ‘chance’ seedling. Chance seedlings occur as a genetic ‘oops' - much like a variegated, fastigiate, or dwarf plant might. From that first plant; new, identical ones are propagated either by rooting cuttings or grafting. Often, seedlings from pendulous plants will produce a high percentage of pendulous offspring with varying degrees of traits similar to the parent plant. However, to maintain the characteristics of the selected pendulous plant, it is best to propagate from rooting cuttings or grafting. This will ensure the resulting plant will be identical to the parent plant.

We think pendulous plants are fun. They offer something different to enjoy, yet they are familiar as well. Most are more compact than the typical species; affording a place in smaller, contemporary landscapes. And generally, weeping plants add to the year round interest in the garden with the unique growth habit which offers contrast to upright plants.