Scape Ideal: Microbiota Siberian Carpet Cypress

Wednesday, March 5, 2014

Microbiota Siberian Carpet Cypress

Microbiota decussata is the only member of the Microbiota family which is related to the Thuja Arborvitae trees of Asia and North America. It is native to subalpine regions of southeast Siberia where it is common and often even above tree line. Coming from extremely cold harsh climates it grows very well in most of Canada and suprisingly far south into the U.S. ( grows well in Maryland and likely thrives to about Mid Virginia ). It is a fast growing evergreen groundcover shrub reaching up yo 1.5 x 6.5 feet in 5 years and 1.5 x 13 feet in 10 years. The largest on record is 2 feet tall and 23 feet wide though the Siberian Carpet Cypress is also easily prunable to keep it much smaller. It is not prone to insects or disease and can live very long up to 230 years.
The foliage grows in lush green flattenned sprays with tiny, scale-like triangular leaves that are barely visible to the eye. In cold climates this foliage turns bronze in the winter ( tends to turn more bronze in full sun than shade ).
The flowers and cones are extremely small and neither ornamental or very visible at all.
Tolerant of moist soils as long as well drained; it is also very shade tolerant making it an excellent replacement for groundcover Juniper which absolutely hates shade but looks similar. The Siberian Carpet Cypress also grows well in full sun except in the southern limits of its range. It can be reproduced from both seed and cuttings taken from half hardened shoots in summer. Flood tolerance is unknown, however plants growing on persistently wet soil may develop root rot. Microbiota in my personal landscaping survived submersion under 2 feet of water during the massive spring floods of 1998 in Leamington, Ontario on sandy soil - all my established previously healthy Blue Hollies died within weeks.
Hardy from zone 1 to 7b; it is known to survive temps colder than - 70F in its native Siberia!
Jacobsen upright rather than spreading habit to 3 feet in height and width. I have not personally seen this cultivar yet and it is extremeley rare.