Larix kaempferi ‘Pendula’
PINACEAE, The Pine family

Normally, I’m not a huge weeping conifer fan. But this species is not just your usual random oddity that waggles in front of the golden arches. Growing about 6 feet tall and as wide, or taller with staking, it makes a subtle statement. The needles are held in bundles, like all larches, and they are a bright, light green when they leaf out in spring, and also sweetly fragrant. That’s right, they lose their needles and reveal their pendulous form in winter, then sprout fresh foliage in spring. A deciduous conifer! The fall color is golden - a nice feature in itself.

Today I planted one of these in a client’s garden, at the head of a water feature at the entryway. It was really the perfect thing there, adding to the elegance of the garden. It’s satisfying when things work out that way.

Hardy in USDA zones 2 or 3 to 7.

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