Russian Cypress
This is an extremely hardy, low growing (but spreading) evergreen coniferous shrub from Siberia. It has scale-like and largely triangular pointed leaves which turn an attractive brown colour in autumn. This may suggest to you that the plant is about to die although it is an entirely natural feature.
Microbiota decussata can be a useful groundcover plant very similar to spreading dwarf junipers in a rockery. It can also be grown as a specimen feature in a border where it will grow eventually to only about 3ft in height. In maturity it will produce tiny round cones with leathery scales. Both male and female cones are produced on this peculiar genus of plants of which this is the only species.
M. decussata dislike wet and waterlogged conditions and is happiest on moderately fertile well drained soil in full sun. No pruning is required and propagation from ripe new growth cuttings in autumn is perfectly possible although they take some time to root on bottom heat.
