Microbiota decussata
Russian arbor-vitae
M. decussata is a prostrate, evergreen shrubby conifer making a wide, dense mat, with small scale-like leaves turning bronze-purple in winter. Flowers inconspicuous, fruit berry-like, yellow-brown, 3mm in length
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Size
Ultimate height
0.1–0.5 metresTime to ultimate height
10–20 yearsUltimate spread
1–1.5 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Moist but well–drainedpH
Acid, Alkaline, NeutralColour & scent
| Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
| Spring | Yellow | Green | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | Green | |||
| Autumn | Green | Brown Yellow | ||
| Winter | Bronze |
Position
- Full sun
Aspect
South–facing or West–facing or East–facing
Exposure
Exposed or Sheltered Hardiness
H7Botanical details
- Family
- Cupressaceae
- Native to the UK
- No
- Foliage
- Evergreen
- Habit
- Matforming
- Genus
Microbiota are low-growing or prostrate evergreen coniferous shrubs with tiny triangular green scale-like leaves becoming bronze in winter; flowers and cones are small and inconspicuous
- Name status
Correct
- Plant range
- Primorye
How to grow
Cultivation
Grows well in most moderately fertile soils in full sun. Useful in the shrub border, the leaves turn bronze in winter sometimes giving the impression that the plant has died
Propagation
Propagate by seed sown in a seedbed in autumn or by semi-hardwood cuttings in summer
Suggested planting locations and garden types
- City and courtyard gardens
- Cottage and informal garden
- Rock garden
- Low Maintenance
- Banks and slopes
- Flower borders and beds
- Ground cover
Pruning
No pruning required
Pests
Generally pest-free
Diseases
Generally disease-free
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