Larix kaempferi

Also Known As

Japanese Larch

Plant type

tree, conifer

size

H: 80'-100'
W: 20'-20'

planting zones

4a-9b

More Options

Larix kaempferi plant details

Larix kaempferi is a fast-growing deciduous conifer tree with green foliage. Grows well with sun and regular water. Drought tolerant once established. Does well in well-drained soil. A good option if you're seeking something verticillium wilt resistant.

CHARACTERISTICS OF Larix kaempferi

Plant type: conifer tree
Plant family: pinaceae
Foliage: deciduous green
Mature size: 20 FT - 20 FT - wide, 80 FT - 100 FT - tall
Uses: cascading, fall color

GROWING CONDITIONS for Larix kaempferi

USDA Zones: 4a - 9b
Sun exposure: sun
Watering frequency: regular
Resistant to: verticillium wilt
Soil needs: well-drained

Nursery contributed plant descriptions

Perhaps the most ornamental of the Larches, this vigorous large tree has reddish twigs and soft, sea-green needles (broader than those of L. decidua) which turn gold in autumn. S/M

By: Forestfarm

The Japanese Larch, also referred to as Larix leptolepis, is a species native the mountains of Japan. Like other Larch, Japanese Larch drops its needles in the fall in a beautiful show of golden foliage on cue with broadleaf hardwoods like maples. Native forests are breathtaking in the fall where around half of the trees turn golden while the other half (various firs and pines) remain green. The branches remain bare through the winter and then in the spring new growth flushes from the branches. Similar to other deciduous conifers like the Dawn Redwood and Bald Cypress, the foliage remains very soft throughout the growing season and is a much more people friendly tree. However, Dawn Redwoods and Bald Cypresses lack the beautiful fall color.

Deciduous conifers are popular for areas that you want to be deeply forested in the summer but let in the light in the winter. Our nursery is quite shady in the winter because of massive old growth Douglas-firs and a little too cold for our liking; if some of those trees were Larch then we would have quite a bit more sun exposure.

Larch are popular for bonsai and Japanese Larch is certainly no exception, lending itself to wire shaping because of its highly flexible branches. Trees will also maintain short branches on thick trunks that seemingly come out of nowhere, which can create a very interesting look on large diameter bonsai.

By: Red Panda Nursery

Bright green spring needles with a bluish cast summer, fall rust color, deciduous, Good in containers. Zones 5-8.

By: Lael's Moon Garden

Needles are light, bluish-green, and give an enjoyable display of yellows in autumn, before dropping for the winter. Different from the European Larch in that it has purple-red winter shoots. A hardy, fast-growing plant that grows to 70' in height and about 40' in width. This larch enjoys a sunny position to achieve best form.