Pseudolarix amabilis - Golden Larch

Pseudolarix amabilis or Chinese Golden Larch is a magnificent deciduous conifer, of modest size, with a wide pyramid-shaped silhouette. In spring and summer, it brightens the garden with its slightly bluish-green foliage, but it is in autumn that it offers its most remarkable spectacle with needles in shades of golden orange. Its moderate development gives it a prominent place in many gardens, as long as it is given a sufficiently large space to admire its elegant and architectural habit. it is very hardy and it thrives in full sun, in light, well-drained, humus-bearing soil, but without limestone.

Pseudolarix amabilis (syn. Pseudolarix kaempferi), more commonly known as Chinese Golden Larch or Chinese Golden False Larch, is an endemic species of China, belonging to the Pinaceae family, like cedars, pines (Pinus), firs (Abies), larches (Larix), pseudotsugas, tsugas, and spruces (Picea). It is one of the deciduous conifers due to its leaves (needles) that it loses in winter. This species is native to the Zhejiang and Jiangxi regions in southeastern China. In Europe, it appeared in the mid-19th century, particularly in northern Italy where it thrives in long hot summers. It is also known and appreciated by bonsai enthusiasts.

The Chinese Golden Larch develops in a pyramid shape, with a flattened crown. It reaches a height of 10 to 15 m and a width of 8 to 10 m, but its growth is slow. In China, in its preferred environment, the most beautiful specimens can reach 30 to 40 m. Its main branches are first spread out in an oval crown, then become rounded over time. The young branches are light green, then take on brown-purple hues as they age. The older barks are reddish-brown to grey-brown and peel off in small flakes over time. It is hardy and can withstand temperatures as low as -25°C. The branches are covered with flexible needles, grouped in one to two rosettes on very short stems. They are light green in spring, then become a darker green, slightly bluish on the underside with two white bands in summer. The needles take on beautiful golden-yellow hues in autumn. This deciduous conifer loses its foliage in winter. It is a monoecious tree, with separate male and female flowers borne on the same plant. The insignificant flowers appear in May-June. They are followed by spherical, reddish brown cones, 5 to 7 cm long and 4 to 5 cm in diameter, erect and composed of scales. As they mature, they disintegrate and release their seeds.

The Chinese Golden False Larch is a remarkable, elegant and graceful conifer that brings a touch of originality and refinement to your space. It is not demanding and thrives in full sun, sheltered from cold and drying winds, with a preference for deep, moist, well-drained soil that is not limestone. It can be planted alone, isolated in the middle of a lawn, to admire its stature. It is suitable for medium-sized gardens to structure a landscaped area, as well as in a park, within a group of trees and conifers, where it stands out with its magnificent autumn colours. The architectural qualities of conifers naturally impose themselves in the design of a contemporary garden, which favours shapes, silhouettes, and textures. Why not accompany the Chinese Golden Larch with trees with similar requirements such as maples, beeches, ashes, lindens, or sophoras to bring diversity of form, colour, and architecture to a large space? Ground-cover plants adapted to shaded conditions and moist soils can also be planted at its base, such as Japanese Spurge (Pachysandra terminalis), Algerian Ivy (Hedera algeriensis Algerian Bellecour), Greater Periwinkle (Vinca major), or heathers, whose temperament is very complementary. Being tolerant to pruning, its habit is suitable for bonsai shaping.

Tips: Being a sun and heat lover, it particularly enjoys long periods with a summer-like atmosphere. Water regularly during the first two years, and in case of prolonged drought in summer.