Plant, Tree & Shrub Library

Other Names:  Common Larch; European Larch

Description:

A distinguished must-have garden shrub for the true collector; a rare dwarf form of this deciduous conifer with upturned finely-needled branches on a tightly mounded form, extremely slow growing, dense and compact, foliage turns brilliant gold in fall

Ornamental Features

Prag Dwarf Larch is primarily valued in the landscape or garden for its interestingly mounded form. It has bluish-green evergreen foliage which emerges light green in spring. The needles turn an outstanding gold in the fall, which persists throughout the winter. The rough gray bark and gold branches add an interesting dimension to the landscape.

Landscape Attributes

Prag Dwarf Larch is a dense multi-stemmed evergreen shrub with a mounded form. It lends an extremely fine and delicate texture to the landscape composition which can make it a great accent feature on this basis alone.

This is a relatively low maintenance shrub, and is best pruned in late winter once the threat of extreme cold has passed. Deer don't particularly care for this plant and will usually leave it alone in favor of tastier treats. It has no significant negative characteristics.

Prag Dwarf Larch is recommended for the following landscape applications;

• Accent
• General Garden Use
• Topiary

Planting & Growing

Prag Dwarf Larch will grow to be about 4 feet tall at maturity, with a spread of 4 feet. It tends to fill out right to the ground and therefore doesn't necessarily require facer plants in front. It grows at a slow rate, and under ideal conditions can be expected to live for 60 years or more.

This shrub does best in full sun to partial shade. It is quite adaptable, prefering to grow in average to wet conditions, and will even tolerate some standing water. It is not particular as to soil type or pH. It is somewhat tolerant of urban pollution. This is a selected variety of a species not originally from North America.