Larix kaempferi Pendula (Japanese Larch)

Larix kaempferi ‘Pendula’ (Japanese Larch) is a lovely deciduous conifer that will take on many forms, mounding, arching, or weeping, depending on training. Unless pruned, its branches will eventually weep to the ground and form a ground cover. The shoots are a rich to reddish pink on the new growth. Unlike most cone-bearing trees, the Japanese Larch loses its foliage each winter. Among the earliest trees to come into leaf in spring, its blue-green to glaucous needles turn bright yellow before being shed in the fall.

Larix kaempferi 'Pendula' (Japanese Larch) is a lovely deciduous conifer that will take on many forms, mounding, arching, or weeping, depending on training. Unless pruned, its branches will eventually weep to the ground and form a ground cover. The shoots are a rich to reddish pink on the new growth. Unlike most cone-bearing trees, the Japanese Larch loses its foliage each winter. Among the earliest trees to come into leaf in spring, its blue-green to glaucous needles turn bright yellow before being shed in the fall. In winter, its brick-red bark is revealed, offering a nice contrast with the golden foliage. Fast-growing and very hardy, this Japanese Larch is an old cultivar that has been a mainstay of the nursery trade since the late 1800s. It makes a wonderful specimen in a large landscape. It is adaptable to wet areas, tolerates clay soils, and is disease-resistant.

  • Grows up to 15-30 ft. tall (4-9 m) and 12-20 ft. wide (3-6 m) at maturity.
  • A full sun lover, this plant is easily grown in deep, well-drained soils.
  • Watch for adelgids, honey fungus, and canker.
  • No pruning required
  • Propagate by seed, sown from late winter to spring. Chilling the seeds for three weeks may aid germination. Propagate by softwood or semi-ripe cuttings in summer. Graft in winter
  • Native to Japan

Requirements

Hardiness 4
– 7

Heat Zones 4
– 7

Climate Zones 1, 1A, 1B, 2, 2A, 2B, 3, 3A, 3B, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19
Plant Type Conifers, Shrubs, Trees
Plant Family Larix – Larches
Exposure Full Sun
Season of Interest Spring (Mid,Late)Summer (Early,Mid,Late)Fall
Height 15'
– 30'
(4.5m
– 9m)
Spread 12'
– 20'
(3.6m
– 6m)
Water Needs Average
Maintenance Low
Soil Type Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage Well-Drained
Characteristics Showy
Tolerance Deer
Garden Uses Beds and Borders