Larix decidua Seeds | European Larch
LATIN NAME: Larix decidua
COMMON NAME: European Larch
Plant Profile
Among the ornamental and useful plants raised from seed, European Larch (Larix decidua) stands out as a tall, deciduous conifer in the pine family, native to mountains of central Europe, in the alps and the carpathian mountains, with small, disjunct lowland populations in northern poland. Established plants reach around Forty metres. Bees and other pollinators visit the flowers freely through the season. For the small amount of care it requires, the return is remarkable.
Science & Biotechnology
Like other members of the pine family, Larix decidua draws steady attention from botanists and plant breeders, who value the genus both as a subject of research and as a source of garden-worthy material. The European larch has a genuine and distinguished place in both forestry and ecological research. Interest from collectors and breeders has never lapsed, and good seed continues to circulate.
Uses & Benefits
In the garden, European Larch earns its place in borders, containers and mixed plantings, and it also rewards growers who raise plants for cutting, drying or kitchen use. Ecologically, the European larch is a noble tree of high mountains. For a grower, the European larch is a rewarding and noble tree, and for a gardener it brings soft, green needles and a fine, golden autumn colour. This is a wonderful tree as it is a fairly fast growing tree that gets lovely very nice soft tufts of foliage. Routine care after establishment is refreshingly light.
Larches give the toughest of softwood timbers and a golden autumn show; larch arabinogalactan is a soluble fiber supplement studied for immune support.
Growing from Seed
European Larch is one of those generous plants that come along well from seed. Use a fine, free-draining seed compost, scatter the seed evenly, cover it lightly and hold it just moist in good light. When the young plants are big enough to handle, space them into pots or a nursery row and let them size up before their final move.
Our Take
Among the Larix group, it is one of the more distinctive species in cultivation. At around forty metres, it stays at a scale that suits modest gardens. Young plants want steady water; older plants take conditions as they come.
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