Larix kaempferi ‘Stiff Weeping’ Care Guide

Larix kaempferi ‘Stiff Weeping’ is a unique, deciduous conifer with a graceful weeping habit and soft, bright green spring foliage that turns rich golden yellow in autumn before falling. Unlike most conifers, it loses its needles in winter, leaving behind a striking architectural framework of drooping branches. Slow-growing and elegant, it’s perfect as a specimen tree for small to medium gardens, rock gardens, and Japanese-inspired landscapes.

Planting & Position

Choosing the right site helps your weeping larch establish and thrive for decades.

• Light requirements:

  • Prefers full sun, where its fresh green spring growth and autumn gold colour are most intense.

  • Tolerates very light partial shade but may be less vivid.

• Shelter:

  • Best in a sheltered position, avoiding strong, drying winds that can damage young shoots.

• Soil:

  • Thrives in moist, fertile, well-drained soil.

  • Adapts to loam, sandy, or light clay soils if not waterlogged.

  • Prefers slightly acidic to neutral pH.

• Planting time:

  • Best planted in autumn or early spring while dormant.

• Spacing & size:

  • Typically reaches 2–3 m tall and wide when mature, with long weeping shoots forming a natural cascade.

  • Allow room for the branches to drape gracefully.

• Grafting note:

  • Most Larix kaempferi ‘Stiff Weeping’ plants are grafted on a short trunk; the weeping height depends on the graft point and can be shaped over time.

Care & Maintenance

Once established, this weeping larch is hardy, low-maintenance, and long-lived.

• Watering:

  • Keep soil consistently moist during the first 2–3 years.

  • Once mature, it tolerates some drought but benefits from deep watering during prolonged dry periods.

  • Container-grown specimens dry out faster — check regularly in summer.

• Feeding:

  • Feed in spring with a balanced slow-release fertiliser to support healthy needle growth.

  • Top-dress container plants with fresh compost each spring.

• Pruning & shaping:

  • Requires very little pruning — let the branches cascade naturally.

  • If shaping is desired, lightly trim new growth in late spring or early summer.

  • Remove any dead or damaged shoots in winter when the tree is leafless.

• Mulching:

  • Apply bark, compost, or leaf mould around the base in spring to conserve moisture and enrich soil.

  • Keep mulch clear of the trunk.

• Pests & diseases:

  • Generally pest- and disease-free.

  • Occasionally may get larch aphid or fungal needle cast, but problems are rare.

• Hardiness:

  • Fully hardy in the UK and Ireland; withstands frost, snow, and cold winters.

Design Uses & Seasonal Interest

‘Stiff Weeping’ adds grace and drama to gardens all year.

• Specimen tree:

  • Perfect as a focal point in lawns, rock gardens, or Japanese-inspired spaces.

  • Works well as a feature by ponds or patios where its form can be appreciated.

• Seasonal appeal:

  • Spring: Soft, bright green needles emerge on cascading branches.

  • Summer: Fresh green canopy provides texture and contrast in borders.

  • Autumn: Striking golden-yellow colour before needles drop.

  • Winter: Dramatic bare weeping framework adds architectural beauty.

• Compact size:

  • Ideal for smaller gardens or where a low-maintenance statement tree is desired.

• Pairing ideas:

  • Underplant with spring bulbs or low groundcover (e.g., heucheras, ferns, or mossy plantings) for seasonal interest.

• Low maintenance:

  • Slow growth and natural form mean little need for pruning or shaping.

In summary: Larix kaempferi ‘Stiff Weeping’ is an elegant, slow-growing deciduous conifer with beautiful cascading branches and stunning golden autumn colour. Plant in a sunny, well-drained spot, water while young, feed each spring, and prune only lightly if shaping is desired. Hardy, low-maintenance, and striking in every season, it’s an ideal choice for a graceful statement tree in any garden.

• Size
  10 lt

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