Plant, Tree & Shrub Library

Other Names:  American Larch, Deborah Waxman Dwarf Tamarack

Description:

If you like the native tamarack but don't have the room, here is the ideal garden-size copy of the same tree; forms an upright pyramid of garden proportions, deciduous bluish-green needles turn yellow in autumn before falling, showy rosy cones in spring

Ornamental Features

Deborah Waxman Larch is primarily valued in the landscape or garden for its distinctively pyramidal habit of growth. It has bluish-green evergreen foliage which emerges light green in spring. The needles turn an outstanding yellow in the fall, which persists throughout the winter. The rose fruits are held in cones in late spring. The rough gray bark and gold branches add an interesting dimension to the landscape.

Landscape Attributes

Deborah Waxman Larch is a multi-stemmed evergreen shrub with a distinctive and refined pyramidal 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 shrub will require occasional maintenance and upkeep, and should not require much pruning, except when necessary, such as to remove dieback. 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.

Deborah Waxman Larch is recommended for the following landscape applications;

• General Garden Use

Planting & Growing

Deborah Waxman Larch will grow to be about 6 feet tall at maturity, with a spread of 4 feet. It has a low canopy, and is suitable for planting under power lines. 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, but has a definite preference for acidic soils. It is somewhat tolerant of urban pollution. Consider applying a thick mulch around the root zone in winter to protect it in exposed locations or colder microclimates. This is a selection of a native North American species.