Japanese larch: photo and description

The name "larch" combines a whole family of coniferous plants from the Pine family. In total, it has about 20 species distributed in the Northern Hemisphere.

Species larch are fast-growing, powerful trees with a through, transparent crown. Because of their very large size, they are rarely used in gardens. But varietal larch - this is the most suitable option. They are neat, variable in size, color of needles, etc. The ancestors of varieties are Siberian and Japanese larch (Kempfera).

In decorative terms, the last species surpasses the rest with its long needles of the original color, and with a beautiful floor crone. Unpretentiousness and rapid growth made larch a Japanese desirable plant for many gardeners. In the article we will tell you about its features, the most popular varieties and growing rules.

Larch Japanese (Kempfera): area of growth

The name of this species speaks for itself. Homeland of Japanese larch is the island of Honshu. It is an endemic, that is, a plant that occurs only in this region, and nowhere else in the world. However, we note that the tree was naturalized on Sakhalin.

It grows at an altitude of 1600-2700 m above sea level, in the upper mountain belt, in large mono-plantations or sporadically in the forests of the dense-colored pine, spruce of Sayan, virgin, Vich fir, Erman birch. You can meet Japanese larch and at lower heights in the company with beech, oak and hornbeam. It is well developed in cold and dry climate, resistant to late spring frosts. Unlike other larches, the Japanese form is better tolerated by shading. It is successfully cultivated on chernozem and podzolic soils, but best develops on fresh sandy and clay substrates.

Description of the species

Japanese larch reaches a height of 30 to 35 m and a trunk diameter from 50 to 100 cm. It has a relatively thin crust, fissuring and longitudinally fractured. Young shoots are painted at the beginning of winter in a brownish yellow with a bluish coating, biannual - reddish-brown. From other species it is distinguished by slightly twisted branches.

Needles of Japanese larch of medium length: from 15 to 50 mm, dull, blue or gray-green tinge. The cones are round-oval in shape, 20-35 mm long, usually composed of 45-50 scales arranged in 5-6 rows.

The tree is developing rapidly, the annual growth is 10-15 cm in width and 25 cm in height. Like other larch, the Japanese variety is characterized by strong and resistant to rotting wood, which is easily processed. In this regard, it is widely used in the furniture industry and construction.

At home, Japanese larch (photo by text) has been used in culture for a very long time. Valued for high decorative properties and resistance to diseases and pests. Cultivated in bonsai technique. In Europe, the plant fell into the 18th century, from 1861 it became actively used in gardens, forest plantations and parks. In Russia, Japanese larch spread in 1880-1885.

We draw your attention to the most popular cultivars of the tree in the horticultural environment. They differ in size, shape of the crown, characteristics of the needles. Among the modern variety of varieties, you can always pick something for your garden.

Stiff Weper

It is grown on the trunk of another tree larch Japanese (stamping, in other words). The shoots of this plant are creeping, hanging. Depending on how high the inoculation is made, the weeping form can reach up to 1.5-2 m in height and 1 m in diameter. Needle Stif viper has a bluish-green hue, it falls down in late autumn. Cones of standard size, female red, male - yellowish. The crown of the tree is neat with a small number of lateral processes. Larch Japanese Stiff Weeper can be used in the most demanding and refined compositions, surrounded by perennial and annual plants, in a single planting.

Of the special requirements of the variety, it should be noted sensitivity to drought and stagnation of moisture. In this regard, it is recommended in the first case to water it often enough, and in the second - to ensure good drainage.

Pendula

Low-growing larch Japanese Pendula is a weeping form that grows to a height of 6-10 m. A tree develops slowly, but this is more of a plus than a minus, because this way you can preserve the original look of the composition longer. The branches of the larch are heavily pendulous, after they reach the ground, they begin to spread along it with an even carpet.

This variety has soft needles of bluish-green color. The effect of fluffiness gives a high decorative effect to the mind. Reproduction is possible only by grafting. The Pendula variety is not particularly demanding on the conditions of the environment, but it will be better to develop on fertile and well drained soils. Does not tolerate waterlogging.

Diane (Diana)

If you are looking for an unusual coniferous plant for your garden, which will surprise everyone, then let it be larch Japanese Diana. Luxurious variety with effectively spirally twisted shoots. The shape of the tree is weeping. Needles in the spring-summer period has a gently green color, in the fall - yellow. Decorations add beautiful bright pink cones.

In height, Diana reaches 8-10 m, while the hemispherical crown grows to 5 m in diameter. The bark of the tree is red-brown. In the early years, larch grows quite rapidly, then growth slows down. This weeping form prefers alkaline wet soils.

Can be used as a tapeworm surrounded by a green lawn or in group plantings with other coniferous and deciduous species, or herbaceous plants.

Blue Rabbit

A blue rabbit is a tall variety with a pyramidal crown. Adult specimens reach a height of 10-15 m. Young trees are characterized by a slightly narrowed crown. This Japanese larch has a characteristic blue color of needles, which in the autumn period becomes golden-red. Decorative wood preserves throughout life. The variety will suit regions with cold winters, so it has high frost resistance. In addition, it grows rapidly, is resistant to air pollution, and therefore can be used in urban conditions.

Like other varieties of Japanese larch, the Blue Rabbit prefers moderately moist and breathable soils, a light place and a mild watering.

Wolterdingen (Wolterdingen)

Dwarf Japanese larch Wolterdingen is able to decorate any garden. Due to its size, it can be used on alpine slides, near artificial ponds, in heather compositions. The tree develops very slowly and by ten years it reaches only 0.5 m in height and 70 cm in width. The crown is dense, domed. The needles of a beautiful bluish-green hue, slightly curled, 3.5 mm long, fall yellow in autumn. Short shoots are clearly located.

The Wolterdingen variety prefers fertile and moist soils, as well as good lighting with access to direct sunlight.

Cultivation from seeds

As you have probably already managed to understand, not all varietal larch can be grown from seeds. Moreover, sometimes this process is simply not rational, and it is better to buy seedlings in the store. If, after all, you decided to grow Japanese larch from seeds, you will need some recommendations.

Before planting, soak the seeds for 1-2 days in water, the capacity with them can be put in the refrigerator. Sowing can be carried out on seedlings or in the ground, when it is sufficiently warm. Between plants planted in one row, it is sufficient to leave a distance of a couple of centimeters. The depth of sowing is 3-5 mm (depending on the soil structure). Shoots, as a rule, appear after 2 weeks. Next year, in the spring, the seedlings can be placed far apart from each other. To a permanent place, experts recommend determining them when they reach the age of 1.5-2 years.

Larch Japanese: planting and care

If you became the owner of a Japanese larch seedlings, then remember that the best time for planting is the beginning of autumn or early spring. Landing pit should be prepared based on the size of the root system. As a rule, the width, height and depth are the same - 50 cm. Cover the plant with excavated soil, mixing it in equal proportions with peat. If the soil is heavy, clayey, it is also recommended to add large river sand.

Larches are, perhaps, the most unpretentious coniferous plants in conditions of northern latitudes. Care for the tree is in the correct watering, loosening, mulching the soil, pruning and processing from pests.

• Sprinkle larch in only in drought conditions. At the same time, a large tree needs about 20 liters of water. Periodicity - 1-2 times a week.
• Loosening is necessary for young plants. In parallel, weeding should be done so that the weeds do not drown it.
• Mulching is necessary for everyone - it helps to improve the properties of the soil, prevents the evaporation of moisture from it and prevents overheating of the roots. Use sawdust, chips or peat.
• Pruning is carried out only when necessary (sanitary) and very neat.
• Treatment with fungicidal and insecticidal preparations is necessary for prevention. In general, Japanese larch has excellent immunity.