Microbiota decussata - Siberian Cypress, Russian Cypress, or Russian Arborvitae (Cupressaceae - Cypress Family) ------Microbiota decussata is known as a radiating low Trunk shrub that functionally serves as a fine-textured -not applicable prostrate woody groundcover. Siberian Cypress undergoes a foliage-color transformation in autumn to USAGE a brown winter color, performing admirably in full sun Function to partial shade in dry, wind-exposed sites. It is a -woody groundcover for foundations, wall plantings woody alternative to spreading groundcover Junipers, where it can cascade, mass plantings, raised planters, or, for that matter, herbaceous evergreen groundcovers. and embankments Texture FEATURES -fine texture Form -thick density Assets -alternative to groundcover Junipers (some of which are prone to phomopsis blight) fine-textured evergreen woody groundcover that tolerates partial shade -extreme cold hardiness -terminal stems with their sprays of foliage have downturned ends, for a graceful, fine-textured effect at the perimeter and center of the plant -seasonal variation in foliage color -abscised autumn leaves can be raked from the plant without damage to it -evergreen woody groundcover (or prostrate shrub) Liabilities -maturing at about 1' tall x 6' wide -brown "evergreen" foliage color in winter may appear -radiating mat growth habit dead to some individuals -slow growth rate Habitat Culture -Zones 3 to 7 -full sun to partial shade (some sources rate this plant -Native to Siberia as full shade tolerant and not adaptable to full sun, but experience does not bear these claims out) SELECTIONS -best performance occurs in partial sun in moist, well- Alternates drained soils, but it is very adaptable to poor, dry, thin -evergreen spreading fine-textured woody soils in sun- and wind-exposed sites groundcovers (Juniperus conferta, Juniperus -propagated primarily by rooted stem cuttings horizontalis, Juniperus procumbens 'Nana', Picea abies -no serious disease or pest problems 'Nidiformis', etc.) -moderately available in container form Variants Foliage -none available -bright green new growth turns dark green by summer, then turns dramatically dark brown by late autumn and remains in this bronzed state throughout the winter -leaves consist of awls (intermediate in size between scales and short needles) held tightly against the stems, forming sprays of foliage somewhat similar to those of Arborvitae (hence one of the common names) Flowers -monoecious and ornamentally inconspicuous Fruits -ornamentally insignificant Twigs -thin, brown, and mostly covered by the foliage -stem termini have downturned ends -original stems from the center of the young plant slowly elongate to give the plant its diameter, while secondary stems that arise later from the center of the maturing plant give it its tiered height