Here in the Southern Appalachian region, microbiota prospers in cooler parts of zone 6 and is troubled by summer heat and heavy clay soils in zone 7. Its medium green summer foliage develops a purple to bronze cast in winter. Spring warm-up restores its green needle color. Growth rate is slow to medium. Adjacent to my driveway microbiota cascades over a low retaining wall.

Substitute microbiota where you routinely plant ground cover junipers. Low growing microbiota ranges 10-12 inches in height and spreads from 6-8 feet in width. It is tolerant of dry shade. Deer and most disease and insect pests don’t bother it. It enjoys good soil moisture drainage and cool temperatures, and tolerates windy exposed sites once it becomes fully established.

Microbiota is not commonly sold at local garden centers, but may be purchase at specialty evergreen nurseries or through internet commerce. Plant container grown nursery stock in the late winter or early spring, mulch, and irrigate when natural rainfall is abnormally low.