Larix kaempferi 'Diana' - Diana Japanese Larch

This elegant variety has soft, blue-green needles that change to a stunning golden yellow in the fall; in winter, twisted, corkscrew like branches are revealed; an interesting addition to the garden composition

Height: 15 feet. Spread: 6 feet. Sun: full sun to partial shade. Hardiness zone: 4a.

Ornamental features

Diana Japanese Larch is primarily valued in the landscape for its ornamental upright and spreading habit of growth. It has bluish-green deciduous foliage which emerges light green in spring. The needle-like leaves turn outstanding shades of yellow and in the fall. The rough brick red bark is extremely showy and adds significant winter interest.

Landscape

Diana Japanese Larch is a multi-stemmed deciduous shrub with an upright spreading habit of growth. It lends an extremely fine and delicate texture to the landscape composition which can make it a great accent feature on this basis alone.

This is a relatively low maintenance shrub, and should not require much pruning, except when necessary, such as to remove dieback. Deer don't particularly care for this plant and will usually leave it alone in favor of tastier treats. It has no significant negative characteristics.

Recommended for: Mass Planting, General Garden Use, Windbreaks and Shelterbelts, Container Planting.

Planting and growing

Diana Japanese Larch will grow to be about 15 feet tall at maturity, with a spread of 6 feet. It tends to fill out right to the ground and therefore doesn't necessarily require facer plants in front, and is suitable for planting under power lines. It grows at a slow rate, and under ideal conditions can be expected to live for 50 years or more.

This shrub does best in full sun to partial shade. It is quite adaptable, prefering to grow in average to wet conditions, and will even tolerate some standing water. It is not particular as to soil type, but has a definite preference for acidic soils. It is quite intolerant of urban pollution, therefore inner city or urban streetside plantings are best avoided. Consider applying a thick mulch around the root zone in winter to protect it in exposed locations or colder microclimates. This is a selected variety of a species not originally from North America.

Photo courtesy of NetPS Plant Finder.