Larix decidua Little Bogle - Larch

The Larix decidua 'Little Bogle' is one of the rare dwarf forms of the European larch. This deciduous conifer shows a bushy and very tormented habit, and covers itself in the spring with light green needles, darkening to bluish green, becoming golden yellow in autumn. It is perfect in a rockery and lends itself perfectly to the art of bonsai. Very hardy, this montane variety appreciates light and cool soil, without too much limestone, even poor, and sunny exposure.

The European larch, Larix decidua, is a large conifer that can reach 30 m (98 ft 5 in) in height, with deciduous foliage. It is native to the mountains of central and southern Europe, at an altitude between 1400 and 2400 m (4593 ft 2 in and 7874 ft). It is a pioneer species capable of improving poor or degraded soils, with great hardiness (up to -40°C (-40 °F)). Highly appreciated for its wood, it adapts very well to cultivation in the plain. It belongs to the family of Pinaceae, such as pines, firs and spruces. It is a species very close to the Japanese Larix kaempferi.

The Larix decidua or Larix kaempheri 'Little Bogle' forms after 10 years a small bushy and compact shrub, with a rounded then pyramidal habit, measuring from 50 cm (19.7 in) to 1 m (3 ft 4 in) in all directions. Its growth is quite slow. At ripeness, it sometimes reaches 2 m (6 ft 7 in) in all directions. Its branches are very twisted and gracefully tormented, giving it a ghostly appearance in winter, which earned it the name 'Bogle', which means 'Ghost' in Scottish language. In spring, the branches are dressed in bright green tender needles, and are inserted in rosettes on the short branches, or individually on the long branches. They then take on a bluish-green hue before turning golden yellow in autumn. They are grouped in tufts composed of 35 to 40 needles. Covering its twisted trunk, its grey bark becomes reddish-brown and cracks into scales with age.

The dwarf larch 'Little Bogle' is a small conifer of great originality and low requirement, easy to cultivate in a rockery, provided that the soil remains quite fresh and that it is placed in a sunny exposure. It goes well with geometric lines and masonry works. It is also easily grown in pots to decorate the terrace or balcony. It can also be made into a delightful bonsai. The real graphic qualities of conifers naturally impose themselves in the design of a contemporary garden, which prefers the aesthetics of shapes, silhouettes and textures to the waltz of flowerings. These plants durably structure a bed, mark alleys, border terraces, easily substituting the strong presence of pruned boxwood. They associate with dishevelled grasses and heathers whose temperament is very complementary. The whole thing is to play with volumes and colours.

Advice: Water regularly during the first two years, and in cases of prolonged drought. While it accepts a punctually dry soil in a cool climate, this conifer will be disappointing in a dry and hot climate.