The Colorful Groundcover Deer Won't Mess With This Winter

Bringing plants that work as ground cover into your yard is a fantastic way of suppressing weeds, increasing plant diversity, and managing erosion. However, with all the wonderful ground covers available, it can be difficult to know which to pick. When selecting a ground cover, it is essential that you consider your site and what you need. For example, if you live in a hot climate, you should look into ground cover plants that are also drought-resistant. It is also helpful to give consideration to the fauna that exists around you, and which animals may want to chew on your plants. If you have lost ground covers to hungry deer in the past, Celtic Pride Siberian cypress (Microbiota decussata 'Celtic Pride') may be perfect for you. 

Not only is Celtic Pride Siberian cypress a tough match for deer, but it is also an evergreen ground cover that adds stunning color all year round. Winter hardy to USDA Hardiness Zones 2 to 7, this ground cover has interesting fern-like foliage that is bright green in the summer. In the fall and winter months, the foliage fades to a bronze hue, which adds interest to your mostly bare yard. Celtic Pride Siberian cypress can grow to a height of around 1 to 3 feet and a spread of around 4 to 6 feet. 

Celtic Pride Siberian cypress is a low-maintenance garden addition. It can be planted in full sun, partial shade, and full shade. However, the color of the foliage may be less intense when growing in full shade. It prefers a cooler climate and can suffer in hot, humid summers, so you may want to find a different ground cover that thrives even in the harshest sun if you live in a warmer location. When planting your Celtic Pride Siberian cypress, ensure you give it enough space to spread to its mature size. 

In terms of ongoing care, Celtic Pride Siberian cypress is pretty hardy and tough. It can be slightly tolerant of drought once established, but to keep it happy, you should try to keep the soil moist. As it is a disease-resistant cultivar, you likely won't have to deal with many ongoing issues with this plant. However, if it looks like it is suffering, it may be because the soil it is in does not drain well enough, and it may have root rot. Celtic Pride Siberian cypress doesn't need pruning. However, you can trim it in the spring to keep it a tidy shape. You don't need to apply any fertilizer to this plant, but you can add a granular feed in the spring if you wish.