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Russian Cypress

Microbiota decussata

Regular price $4968
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Delivery and Shipping

Fast, Safe Plant Delivery
Ships in 3-4 business days • Tracking provided • Weather protected

Under $50 $9.99
$50 - $99.99 $14.99
$100 - $149.99 $16.99
$150 - $198.99 $24.99
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Plant Profile & Growing Essentials

Cold hardy, Low Maintenance, Evergreen, Groundcover, Slopes/Erosion Control, Deer-resistant, and Drought resistant

Specifications

  • Botanical Name
    Microbiota decussata
  • Height
    1 ft
  • Width
    3-4 ft
  • Growing Zones
    2-6
  • Growth Rate
    Slow
  • Leaf Color
    • Green
    • Bronze
  • Fall Color
    Bronze
  • Pollinator Friendly
    Yes
  • Pollinator Required
    No
  • Bloom Period
    Late Spring
  • Does Not Ship To
    AK, AZ, CA, HI, ID, MT, NV, OR, UT, WA

Planting & Care Instructions

Where to Plant

  • Sunlight: This evergreen thrives in full sun for at least 6 hours daily but appreciates dappled afternoon shade in warmer zones to keep its color vibrant. Too much shade leads to a leggy and sparse appearance instead of a dense mat.
  • Soil: Aim for well drained soil that does not hold standing water. If you have heavy clay, plant it in a raised mound or slightly above the soil line to improve drainage and prevent root rot.

Watering Requirements

For the first growing season, water your Russian Cypress deeply twice a week to help the roots reach deep into the ground. Once it is established, this plant is quite drought tolerant and usually only needs supplemental water during long dry spells. Inconsistent moisture or soggy ground will often cause the interior needles to turn brown and drop.

Pruning Tips

As a conifer, this plant produces small cones rather than flowers and does not require deadheading. If you need to manage the size, prune in late spring after the new growth has emerged but before it hardens. Focus on thinning out a few of the longest branches at their base to maintain the soft and feathery texture rather than shearing the ends like a hedge.

Fertilizer Needs

Apply a balanced, slow release fertilizer designed for evergreens in early spring just as new growth begins. Avoid using high nitrogen fertilizers in late summer because this encourages tender growth that will be damaged by the first frost. This ensures the plant hardens off properly and develops its characteristic bronze winter color without stress.

A Low Growing Cascading Evergreen

Russian Cypress, Microbiota decussata, is a versatile, spreading conifer. These would make a delightful shrub boarder or even an outstanding ground cover in your rock garden. It's also a good choice for shady places where other evergreens might not thrive as well.

Your Russian Cypress is a low-growing evergreen. Its feathery, fan-like sprays are soft to the touch with delicate nodding tips. The vibrant green foliage will present a lively appearance in your yard, and continue to draw your interest into the winter when it transforms to a darker, gold-purple hue.

The branches diplay a subtle arch for a gentle, mounded appearance. Russian Cypress resembles horizontal-type junipers, but has the bright green, soft foliage of an arborvitae.

Russian Cypress is an extremely hardy evergreen with no significant disease or insect issues.

Russian Cypress likes full sun to full shade, and its best performance occurs in partial sun in moist, well-drained soils. However, it's also quite adaptable to poor soils in sun and wind-exposed sites as well. It's even deer resistant, so you won't have to worry about your furry friends taking a nibble as they pass through your yard.

For a versatile, hardy evergreen with lively color and a spreading nature, Russian Cypress is a terrific choice!

  • Low-Growing Evergreen
  • Winter Color
  • 4-season interest
  • Cold hardy

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