Larix gmelinii

RHS Plant Profile

Dahurian larch

RHS

Synonyms

Larix dahurica

Conifers Trees

A deciduous, coniferous tree that can reach 35m, with a broadly conical shape and horizontal branches. Bright green, needle-like leaves are carried in bunches, and turn yellow in autumn. Male flowers are yellow, females start purple then ripen into erect, brown cones about 3cm long

Position

Full sun

Soil Types

Clay, Loam, Sand

Max Height

Higher than 12 metres

Max Spread

4-8 metres

Size

Time to Maturity: more than 50 years
Max Spread: 4-8 metres
Max Height: Higher than 12 metres

Growing Conditions

Clay Loam Sand

Moisture: Moist but well–drained
pH: Acid or Neutral

Position

Full sun

Aspect: North–facing or West–facing or East–facing or South–facing
Exposure: Exposed
Hardiness

Hardiness Ratings

All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

H1A: under glass all year (>15C)
H1B: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
H1C: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20): H7

Colour & Scent

Season	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family: Pinaceae
Native to GB/Ireland: No
Foliage: Deciduous
Habit: Bushy
Genus: Larix are deciduous trees of conical habit, with good autumn colour from the soft, needle-like leaves which are borne in whorls on spur-like lateral shoots and spirally arranged on young growth; small ovoid cones persist on the branches
Name Status: Correct
Plant Range: NE Asia

How to Grow

Cultivation

An exceptionally hardy tree that does best in areas with very cold winters and cool summers. In milder areas it is easily damaged by late spring frosts

Propagation

Propagate by seed in containers in early spring, grafting in winter, or root semi-ripe cuttings in summer under mist; cuttings are difficult to root

Suggested planting locations and garden types

Architectural
Low Maintenance

Pruning

No pruning required

Pests

May be susceptible to adelgids

Diseases

May be susceptible to honey fungus in gardens where it is present but insufficient data to determine degree of susceptibility