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Microbiota decussata

Previously known as:

  • Platycladus decusatta
Phonetic Spelling
mi-kro-bi-O-ta day-ku-SA-ta
Description

The Russian arborvitae is a low-growing, prostrate, mat-forming, dwarf evergreen conifer that is frequently known as the Russian arborvitae or Siberian cypress. It is a shrub-like ground cover that grows from 6 to 18 inches tall and spreads up to 12 feet wide. The bright green scale-like or awl-shaped foliage is feathery, soft, and arranged in flat sprays. In the fall and winter, the foliage transitions to bronze-purple, copper bronze, to red. The fruits are tiny, round, berry-like cones that have woody scales. It has the habit of creeping juniper, and the foliage is similar to the genus Thuja or arborvitae. Unlike creeping juniper, the branch tips of the Russian arborvitae nod downward, and it is also more shade tolerant.

The Russian arborvitae is native to the Primorye Territory of Russia and the Siberian mountains. It was first seen in Vladivostok, Russia in 1921.

The genus name, Microbiota, is derived from the Greek word, micro, meaning "small,' and Biota, which is the former name of a related genus Platycladus. The specific epithet, decussata, references the arrangement of the foliage which means the adjacent pairs of leaves are rotated about 90 degrees. The common names reference its native range and its similar characteristics to other members of the cypress family.

This needled evergreen prefers full sun to partial shade with moist, well-drained soils. It is more shade tolerant than groundcover junipers. It will perform best in cool summer climates and is cold hardy from USDA hardiness zones 3 to 7.  This conifer is intolerant to hot and humid summers, poor drainage, or excessive wetness. No pruning is required, and it requires very little maintenance.

Consider this plant in cooler summer climates as a groundcover, especially for slopes, banks, or hillsides. It may also be used as a specimen and for borders, foundation plantings, or rock gardens.

Seasons of Interest:

Foliage:  Year-round                Fruit:  Fall

Quick ID Hints:

  • low-growing, prostrate, mat-forming evergreen conifer
  • feathery, soft, bright green scale-like or awl-shaped foliage with branch tips that nod downward and are arranged in flat sprays
  • fall foliage bronze purple, copper bronze, or red
  • tiny, spherical, yellow to brown, berry-like cones

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: The Russian arborvitae is generally disease and pest free; however, it is Intolerant to poorly drained soils, and hot, and humid climates. Root rot may develop in excessively wet areas.

VIDEO created by Ryan Contreras for “Landscape Plant Materials I:  Deciduous Hardwoods and Conifers or Landscape Plant Materials II:  Spring Flowering Trees and Shrubs” a plant identification course offered by the Department of Horticulture at Oregon State University

Profile Video:
See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
  • 'Celtic Pride'
  • 'Drew's Blue'
  • 'Fuzzball'
  • 'Goldspot'
  • 'Jacobsen'
'Celtic Pride', 'Drew's Blue', 'Fuzzball', 'Goldspot', 'Jacobsen'
Tags:
#evergreen#low growing#shrub#low maintenance#winter interest#slopes#cottage garden#erosion control#spreading#needled evergreen#deer resistant#foundation planting#groundcover#rock garden#border planting#heat intolerant#humidity intolerant#wet soils intolerant#mat forming#landscape plant sleuths course
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
  • 'Celtic Pride'
  • 'Drew's Blue'
  • 'Fuzzball'
  • 'Goldspot'
  • 'Jacobsen'
'Celtic Pride', 'Drew's Blue', 'Fuzzball', 'Goldspot', 'Jacobsen'
Tags:
#evergreen#low growing#shrub#low maintenance#winter interest#slopes#cottage garden#erosion control#spreading#needled evergreen#deer resistant#foundation planting#groundcover#rock garden#border planting#heat intolerant#humidity intolerant#wet soils intolerant#mat forming#landscape plant sleuths course
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Microbiota
    Species:
    decussata
    Family:
    Cupressaceae
    Life Cycle:
    Perennial
    Woody
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    Southeastern Siberia and Northern Primorye
    Play Value:
    Easy to Grow
    Dimensions:
    Height: 0 ft. 6 in. - 1 ft. 6 in.
    Width: 3 ft. 0 in. - 12 ft. 0 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Ground Cover
    Shrub
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Needled Evergreen
    Habit/Form:
    Spreading
    Growth Rate:
    Medium
    Maintenance:
    Low
    Texture:
    Medium
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
    Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
    Soil Texture:
    Clay
    Loam (Silt)
    Sand
    Soil pH:
    Acid (<6.0)
    Alkaline (>8.0)
    Neutral (6.0-8.0)
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Moist
    Available Space To Plant:
    6-feet-12 feet
    NC Region:
    Mountains
    Piedmont
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    3a, 3b, 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Color:
    Brown/Copper
    Gold/Yellow
    Display/Harvest Time:
    Fall
    Fruit Length:
    < 1 inch
    Fruit Width:
    < 1 inch
    Fruit Description:
    The fruits are tiny, spherical, 0.25 inch in diameter berry-like cones that have woody scales.
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Insignificant
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Spring
    Flower Description:
    Inconspicuous and appear in the spring.
  • Leaves:
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Needled Evergreen
    Leaf Color:
    Green
    Leaf Feel:
    Soft
    Leaf Value To Gardener:
    Showy
    Deciduous Leaf Fall Color:
    Brown/Copper
    Purple/Lavender
    Red/Burgundy
    Leaf Type:
    Needles
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Description:
    The foliage is bright green, soft, feathery, scale-like, and arranged in flat, fan-like sprays. In the fall and winter, the foliage is bronze-purple to reddish. The foliage resembles arborvitae, and its habit is like creeping juniper.
  • Stem:
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Slope/Bank
    Landscape Theme:
    Cottage Garden
    Rock Garden
    Design Feature:
    Border
    Foundation Planting
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Deer
    Erosion