Microbiota decussata Fuzzball®

The Microbiota decussata 'Fuzzball' is a variety of Siberian creeping cypress selected for its more bushy spreading habit, in the shape of a fountain, and its feathery foliage that takes on beautiful bronze to violet tones in winter. Its growth is slow but regular, and it eventually forms a nice rockery subject and a good ground cover, useful for dressing a large slope or a bed. Extremely hardy and drought-resistant, this conifer thrives in the sun or even in shade, in any well-drained soil, including poor and chalky soils.

The Microbiota decussata Fuzzball descends from a conifer endemic to a very restricted area limited to the Sikhote-Alin Mountains, located in the Russian Far East. It belongs to the cypress family, which includes related species such as cypresses and chamaecyparis. This Fuzzball variety, introduced in 2008, retains its juvenile foliage, which is softer and finer, throughout its life. It has a compact and spreading habit, eventually reaching 80 cm (31.5 in) in height and 1.50 m (4 ft 11 in) to 2 m (6 ft 7 in) in spread after many years. Like the wild species, it is adapted to the harshest temperatures and climates, as well as arid areas. The gracefully spreading and gracefully arched branches, beautifully tiered, somewhat resemble fern fronds. The evergreen foliage in winter consists of tiny imbricate scale-like leaves arranged flat on the branches. From spring to autumn, the foliage has a light green colour, gradually turning bronze, sometimes tinged with purple in cold climates, in winter.

The Microbiota decussata Fuzzball is an extraordinary rockery conifer, very frugal, which allows to beautify the most difficult areas of the garden, in plain or in mountain. It is without reservation in a dry garden, on a large slope, among rocks, above a wall or a low wall, or against the house to hide the foundations. It goes well with geometric lines and masonry works. It also adapts very well to container cultivation. The real graphic qualities of conifers naturally impose themselves in the design of a contemporary garden. These plants with reassuring permanence structurally mark a bed, mark the paths, border the terrace, easily replacing the strong presence of trimmed boxwood. They go well with tousled grasses like stipa, or heathers (Erica x darleyensis, Erica multiflora) with very complementary temperament. The key is to play with volumes and colours.