Celtic Pride® Siberian Cypress

The Celtic Pride® Siberian Cypress, scientifically known as Microbiota decussata, is a medium-sized evergreen shrub that boasts a multitude of desirable attributes. It grows to a modest height of 12 to 36 inches and spreads outwards to a generous 48 to 60 inches. The plant presents a lush green foliage that maintains its vibrant color throughout the year, contributing to its role as an eye-catching filler in garden containers and landscapes.

Adaptable in terms of sunlight requirements, this Siberian Cypress thrives equally well in both part sun and full sun conditions, needing anywhere from 4 to over 6 hours of sunlight daily. It is a low-maintenance plant, requiring average watering and well-drained, moist soil conditions to prosper. Though it's grown primarily for its foliage rather than flowers, it is a plant of utility and ornament, serving various uses such as mass and foundation plantings in the landscape.

The Celtic Pride® Siberian Cypress, or Microbiota decussata, is a versatile evergreen shrub that offers a variety of landscaping uses:

• Groundcover: Its spreading habit and lush greenery make it an excellent choice for covering large areas, offering a green carpet that can beautifully fill spaces under taller trees or shrubs.
• Mass Plantings: When planted en masse, this Siberian Cypress creates a unified sea of green that can define borders, edge walkways, or serve as a low-maintenance alternative to traditional lawns in public and private gardens.
• Foundation Plantings: Due to its moderate size and evergreen nature, it's ideal for foundation plantings around buildings, where it can provide year-round structure and color.
• Erosion Control: Its root system helps to stabilize soil on slopes and banks, making it an ecological choice for erosion-prone areas.
• Winter Interest: The foliage takes on a russet-purple hue in the colder months, offering visual interest in otherwise barren winter landscapes.
• Deer-Resistant Planting: In areas where deer browsing is a concern, this plant can be a strategic choice due to its resistance to deer, ensuring that the landscaping remains intact.
• Asian/Zen Gardens: The plant's fine texture and the ability to take on different hues make it suitable for use in Asian or Zen garden designs, contributing to the serene and structured aesthetic.
• Cottage Gardens: Its rustic charm fits well in informal cottage garden settings, blending with a variety of perennials and other shrubs.
• Rustic Landscapes: In rustic settings, such as mountain or country gardens, its hardiness and low-maintenance nature make it a practical choice.

Its suitability for a range of uses, from ornamental to practical, allows the Celtic Pride® Siberian Cypress to be incorporated into various garden styles and landscape designs.

The Celtic Pride® Siberian Cypress (Microbiota decussata) is a low-maintenance and hardy plant that requires some basic care to thrive:

• Light Requirement: This plant is versatile in its sunlight needs. It can grow in part sun to full sun conditions, which means it does best with at least 4-6 hours of sunlight a day, but it can also handle the intensity of full sun exposure.
• Soil Requirement: The Siberian Cypress prefers well-drained, moist soil. While it can tolerate a range of soil types, ensuring good drainage is crucial to prevent root rot and other water-related issues.
• Watering: Once established, it has a reasonable drought tolerance but should be watered regularly to maintain moist soil conditions, especially in the absence of rainfall. Overwatering should be avoided, as this can lead to issues with root health.
• Pruning: Generally, pruning is not necessary for this plant, as it maintains its shape naturally. If desired, light trimming can be done in the spring to maintain a specific shape or to remove any damaged or diseased foliage.
• Fertilizing: Fertilization is not typically required for the robust Siberian Cypress, but if growth seems sluggish or the foliage lacks vigor, a balanced, slow-release fertilizer can be applied in early spring.
• Mulching: Applying a layer of mulch around the base of the plant can help retain soil moisture, suppress weeds, and provide a clean appearance to the planting area.
• Hardiness Zones: This shrub is exceptionally hardy, suitable for zones 2a through 7b. It's capable of withstanding very cold temperatures, making it a great choice for climates that experience harsh winters.
• Winter Care: Although the plant is winter-hardy, in very cold zones, providing some winter protection, such as mulching around the base, can help prevent frost heaving.
• Disease and Pest Resistance: The Celtic Pride® Siberian Cypress is notable for being resistant to deer and is not commonly affected by pests or diseases, making it a relatively trouble-free addition to the landscape.

By following these care guidelines, the Celtic Pride® Siberian Cypress can be a beautiful and enduring addition to a variety of garden settings.