The Types of Larches

Japanese Larch

• Japanese larches (Larix kaempferi) are tall trees that can exceed 120 feet or more in height and are hardy in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 4 through 7. Several cultivars exist. Dwarf forms include "Wolterdingen," a dense globe with blue-green needles; "Nana," a dwarf, rounded shrub; and "Prostrata," a dwarf creeping form. "Pendula" has weeping branches and is usually grafted onto an upright central trunk, while "Diana" has interesting, contorted branches. "Aureovariegata" bears needles with yellow variegation, and "Blue Rabbit" is a columnar form with blue-tinted foliage.

European Larch

• European larches (Larix decidua) grow in USDA zones 3 through 6. They are native to central Europe and thrive in the Alps and Carpathians. They can grow to about 80 feet in height. Although there aren't many cultivars, a few are distinctive. The weeping "Pendula" is grafted onto an upright central trunk to create an umbrella form, while "Puli" is a very low-growing ground cover that can be staked to form a central trunk if desired. "Varied Directions" is a variety developed by Dr. Sid Waxman at the University of Connecticut. The main branches weep and radiate out in an irregular pattern, and it is often grafted onto a central upright trunk.

Eastern Larch

• The Eastern larch (Larix laricina), also called tamarack and native to North America, reaches 60 feet in height and is hardy in USDA zones 2 through 5. In the coldest part of its growing range it may only reach 15 feet. There are also several dwarf cultivars. "Newport Beauty" grows to only 2 feet in height. "Blue Sparkler" is a dwarf with blue-green foliage, and "Lanark" has a low, wide habit. "Deborah Waxman" has a small, pyramidal habit and was also selected by Dr. Waxman.

Other Larches

• Both the western larch (Larix occidentalis) and alpine larch (Larix lyallii) are natives of North America. Both grow in the alpine or subalpine areas of the Northwest. The western larch is hardy in USDA zones 3 through 9, while the alpine larch is hardy in USDA zones 3 through 8. "Bollinger" is a western larch cultivar with a low, mounding habit. There are no recognized subspecies, varieties or cultivars of the alpine larch.