Microbiota decussata is a low growing conifer that can be used as a ground cover plant that carpets areas of the garden where low maintenance is preferred the siberian carpet cypress or russian arbor45vitae is an attractive and practical alternative to lawns on steep banks narrow strips of land down the side of driveways etc its evergreen foliage changes to bronze45purple each winter it covers ground quickly and can easily be cut back if required height and spread 1m 40393441