The Siberian cypress, discovered as recently as 1921 in the Russian Far East, was unknown for decades in the West. Two shrubs arrived in Finland as a gift in 1973, and in the 1980s the Siberian cypress gained popularity as a robust, low-growing evergreen shrub that could be substituted for Mountain pines (Pinus mugo) and non-hardy evergreens. The Siberian cypress, reminiscent of the Common juniper (Juniperus communis), is the only species in its genus. Its needles are initially needle-shaped, later becoming scale-like. The Siberian cypress is hardy as far north as Rovaniemi, and it has been planted in many parks and gardens. There are Siberian cypresses growing e.g. in Ala-Malmi park and in Ullaksenpuisto in Vuosaari.