Larix kaempferi Boring Weeper

The Larix kaempferi 'Boring Weeper' is a Japanese larch characterised by its weeping habit and moderate growth. It is a deciduous conifer with drooping branches covered in silver-blue-green needles from spring to summer, turning yellow in autumn. This larch also produces decorative young cones. It is very unusual and will be highlighted in the centre of a flower bed or as a solitary specimen in a small garden.

Larix kaempferi 'Boring Weeper' is very similar to the variety 'Stiff Weeping', but it was selected by a different breeder. The wild Japanese larch, Larix kaempferi (synonym Larix leptolepis), is a large Japanese conifer with a conical habit that can reach a height of 30m. It has deciduous foliage and is native to the mountains of the Hondo Island, but it adapts very well to cultivation in lowlands, in cool oceanic climates. It belongs to the pinaceae family, like pines, firs, and spruces. It is a very similar species to Larix decidua, the European larch. Very cold-resistant, the Japanese larch likes humus-rich, moist, and slightly acidic to neutral soils.

Larix kaempferi 'Boring Weeper' forms, after 10-12 years, a 2-3m tall weeping bush with a spread of less than 1m. Its growth rate is moderate. Its long branches, drooping to the ground, form a dense, but more or less regular, fountain shape. From spring to summer, its foliage is generally green-blue, composed of soft non-prickly needles. They are inserted in small dense clusters on the branches. In autumn, these needles turn golden yellow and then bronze before falling. Its young branches have an attractive winter bark, ranging from pale pink to brown. Flowering, on a mature specimen, occurs from March to May, starting before the appearance of the needles in spring. The tree produces male and female cones. The male cones are numerous, small, and yellowish, hanging under the branches. The female cones, on the other hand, are erect and have a beautiful bright red-pink colour before turning brown when ripe. In late summer, they release brown seeds that are enjoyed by squirrels and some birds.

The 'Boring Weeper' larch is a subtly unique conifer, easy to fit into a small garden or a Japanese-inspired or exotic-themed flower bed. It can also be planted near an entrance, as its narrow silhouette is well suited for it. It can also be grown in a large container to decorate a terrace or balcony. It can be combined with dwarf conifers chosen for their bushy or trailing habit. The architectural qualities of conifers naturally stand out in a contemporary garden. These plants provide long-lasting structure to a flower bed, mark pathways, and the terrace. They pair perfectly with heathers. The key is to play with volumes and colours.

Tips: Water regularly during the first two years and in case of prolonged drought.