Japanese larchis the second most frequently cultivated species of larch in Poland. It gained its popularity thanks to an interesting habit and easy cultivation. Since it tolerates air pollution very well, it is great for urban planting. Meet the most recommendedvarieties of Japanese larchand see what it looks likecultivating larch in the gardenWe also advise how to doJapanese larch pruningto create a nice hedge.
Japanese mohair - stem form, grafted on a trunk
Fig. depositphotos.coms
Japanese larch - appearance and interesting varieties
Japanese Larch(Larix kaempferi) is a Japanese conifer with a loose, wide and light crown, made of thick and very long branches. The branches of this beautiful tree grow almost horizontally, forming a regular pattern resembling a wide pyramid. The trees are characterized by rapid growth and reach a height of 25 m.
The branches and trunk of the tree are covered with reddish-brown bark. Young shoots are reddish in color and covered with a blue-pink, waxy coating.Japanese larch shoots are covered with blue-green, soft needles 4-6 cm long , which are gathered in dense bunches on the shoots. In autumn, the needles change their color to an intense yellow color and fall down in the winter.
Japanese larch is distinguished by very nice cones , which resemble small roses. They are spherical or slightly ovoid in shape and about 3.5 cm long.They are made of numerous, thin and strongly flared scales arranged in rosettes. The edges of the scales are clearly folded outwards, like rose petals. Cones remain on the tree for several years.
Japanese morzew - young needles
Fig. depositphotos.coms
In nurseries and garden centers, you can find varieties of Japanese larch with different crown shapes.The most popular and interesting varieties of Japanese larch are :
- ' Stiff Weeper ' - a variety with hanging shoots and a compact, regular habit. Commercially available specimens are usually offered grafted on a trunk in the form of a tree, measuring 1-2 m in height. In grafted forms on a low rootstock, slender shoots stick to the ground.
- ' Diana ' - shrub or small tree with an irregular crown. A recognizable feature of this variety is strongly twisted shoots.
- ' Pendula ' - a slowly growing tree with a hanging habit and an asymmetrical crown, growing up to several meters in height.
- ' Little Boggle ' - shrub with spherical, irregular shape and rusty brown, short, strongly densified and twisted shoots.
- ' Jakobsen's Pyramid ' - a variety with a narrow and slender silhouette and a compact and narrowly columnar habit. The shoots of the plants are dense, directed vertically upwards and adjacent to the trunk.
- ' Gray Pearl ' - a dwarf, compact shrub with a spherical, slightly irregular shape. The needles fit snugly against the twigs, showing lighter bottoms, giving the plant a gray-green tint.
- ' Blue Rabbit Weeping ' - a variety with more intense color of needles and picturesquely overhanging branches.
Japanese larch - cultivation
Japanese larch is easy to grow , has no special soil requirements and grows well in average garden soils, fertile, humus, moderately moist, permeable, slightly acidic .It does not tolerate dry or wet places and too abundant watering. In such conditions, Japanese larch becomes sick and withers.
AsJapanese larch is an extremely photophilous species , it should be grown in sunny places. Due to the lack of light, the plant loses its nice habit and may die over time.
Dwarf form of Japanese larch
Fig. depositphotos.coms
Japanese larch regenerates wind damage very easily , so it is sometimes used to create hedges and windbreaks. In addition, the trees arecompletely frost-resistant and extremely tolerant of air pollutionThis makes Japanese larches recommended for cultivation in large cities and in industrialized areas.
Falling larch needles should not be ruffled from under the plantbecause they form a natural mulch that creates a favorable environment for the roots.
Japanese larch does not require intensive fertilizationIt is enough to apply one dose of multi-component fertilizer for conifers twice a season (spring and summer).
Japanese larch rarely get sick, and the most common causes of their drying out are the lack of water and light.
Japanese larch - pruning
Japanese larch tolerates pruning and shaping very wellPerfect for trimmed hedges and bonsai trees. Annual pruning of Japanese larch reduces growth and causes crown density. The intensity of Japanese larch pruning depends on the variety and purpose.
Japanese larch hedges , in order to maintain their proper shape, are trimmed twice a season, in early spring (March) and late summer (August / September). Very young plants are already pruned to stimulate them to grow stronger and to obtain a nice and dense hedge in the future.
Stump grafted Japanese larch varieties do not require pruning every yearIf necessary, they are gently pruned, shortening the young shoots. This treatment is performed in the early spring, when negative temperatures disappear. Cutting is carried out on a frost-free and clear day. The cutting site should be above the second or third bud. The cut is usually repeated every 2-3 years. When the crown of the grafted larch is nicely shaped, it is enough to regularly remove broken, diseased and frozen shoots.
MSc Eng. Agnieszka Lach
