Larix kaempferi 'Diana'
Japanese larch
- Height × spread
- 12m × 4m
- Position
- Full sun
- Hardiness
- Colder than -20C (RHS H7)
- Flowers
- Spring, Autumn
Availability
Please ask in store about availability
Many plants are seasonal. Call 01234 567890 to check current stock.
About this plant
This slow growing larch is beautiful at all seasons. In winter its deciduous character means the bare, contorted branches with their pendulous tips, can be seen in their strange beauty, and are especially lovely when seen in silhouette. The tree has red tinted branches and in spring, there's a green fuzz as the fresh spring foliage appears in tufts on the twigs. When mature, there will be both male and female flowers at this time. Come autumn the foliage colour is golden, prior to leaf fall. This form is suited to pot culture and can readily be pruned to retain its dimensions. It is sometimes grafted onto a standard, in which case, snip off any leading shoot that appears to be making for the skies.
- Flower colour
- Brown
- Foliage colour
- Green
- Autumn foliage
- Gold-brown
- Stem colour
- Brown, Red
- Fruit colour
- Brown
- Variegated
- No
- Scent
- No
- Shape
- Column
- Height
- 12m
- Spread
- 4m
- Height in 10 years
- 2.5m
- Spread in 10 years
- 1.2m
- Season of interest
- Spring, Autumn, Winter
- Flowers in
- Spring, Autumn
- Evergreen
- Deciduous
- Garden style
- Small scale garden
- Sun or shade
- Likes full sun, tolerates part shade
- Soil type
- Chalk, Loam (normal)
- Soil pH
- All types
- Drainage
- Well drained soil
- Hardiness
- Colder than -20C (RHS H7)
- Borders & containers
- Borders and containers
- Use for
- Structural, Bird attraction
- Hazards
- No
Spring
Spring - late · Outdoors
Feed young plants with slow release fertiliser
Spread a slow release fertiliser around the base of the plant to the edge of the foliage spread, so that it can feed the roots. It is helpful for this to be applied for several years.
This is a simple way to provide a nutrient boost until the plant becomes well established.
Spring-Autumn · Outdoors
Water during dry periods
For plants in the ground, when there has been little or no rain for a period of 7-10 days and the soil is dry, give it a deep watering and repeat weekly until there is a downpour of rain. Check plants in pots more frequently, especially in hot weather.
Spring-Autumn · Planting
Prune to remove leading shoot
If plant develops a leading shoot and a dwarf growth habit is required, remove the leading shoot to its base when seen.
In some cases, especially with some conifers their dwarf growth habit can be eradicated if strong upright shoots are not removed.
Planting & general
Outdoor planting · Planting
Add root growth stimulant to the planting hole
Mycorrhizal fungi helps roots establish quickly, so they absorb water and nutrients more efficiently. It comes as a powder, granule or gel. Add to the planting hole or container, and to the plant's rootball before planting in the hole. For "bareroot" plants use a gel.
Planting
Protect & support young trees
Attach a newly planted tree or tall shrub over 1m to a tree stake to give support and prevent windrock. Use a tree guard to stop tree bark being eaten by animals, especially in areas with deer - removing bark injures a tree and in worst case can kill it.