Sunday, October 08, 2006

Golden Larch (Pseudolarix kaempferi)



Golden Larch
Pseudolarix kaempferi
(soo-doh-LAR-iks) (KAMP-fer-ee)

The name of this tree can be a little misleading. First, it isn’t a true Larch and second it is green during the summer and turn gold during fall. It is a handsome tree for the large garden. It is more closely related to a Fir tree than a larch. It is a deciduous conifer, which makes it kind of an oddball. I am sure there are others but Bald Cypress (Taxodium distichum), Dawn Redwood (Metasequoia glyptostroboides) and the Larches (Larix sp.) are a few deciduous conifers that I have grown. This tree is easy to grow and has a wonderful soft appearance during the season. The real show is the fall color. It doesn’t seem to last too long but is glorious when it is happening. This specimen is growing near the shore of a pond but about six feet above the water line. That hasn’t seemed to slow it down, as it is getting fairly large. The spot of red is a group of Sourwood trees (Oxydendrum arboreum). They are a great late summer flowering tree with superb fall color. I have been told that you should always buy Sourwood Trees when they are in color too make sure you get a good one. It certainly worked with this group.

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