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Larix kaempferi 'Pendula' (Weeping Japanese Larch)
Daderot, no rights reserved (CC0) · Wikimedia Commons
Coniferous Trees

Larix kaempferi 'Pendula'

Weeping Japanese Larch

Pinaceae
Cultivar of garden origin; species native to central Honshu, Japan

Learn more

At a Glance

TypeTree
HabitTrailing
FoliageDeciduous
Height8-15 feet (2.4-4.6 m)
Width4-10 feet (1.2-3 m)
Maturity15 years

Growing Zones

USDA Hardiness Zones

3 - 7
Zone 3Zone 4Zone 5Zone 6Zone 7
These zones indicate the coldest temperatures this plant can typically survive.
What's my zone? →
Frost Tolerancehardy

Key Features

Deer ResistantDrought TolerantContainer Friendly
Maintenancelow

Overview

Larix kaempferi 'Pendula' is weeping Japanese larch, a top-grafted weeping DECIDUOUS conifer growing 8-15 feet (2.4-4.6 m) tall and 4-10 feet (1.2-3 m) wide. Blue-green soft needles in rosettes of 20-40 on cascading pendulous branches. Turns golden-yellow to orange-gold in fall before dropping. Pink to red-purple strobili in early spring. Brown cones with reflexed scales. In Pinaceae. Height depends on graft height and leader training. Four-season interest: spring strobili, summer foliage, golden fall color, winter sculptural skeleton. Intolerant of hot humid summers. Graft union vulnerable to ice damage. Non-toxic. Deer-resistant. Zones 3-7. Full sun. Growth rate is moderate.

Native Range

Cultivar of garden origin. Species native to central Honshu, Japan, in mountain forests at 4,000-9,000 feet (1,200-2,700 m).

Suggested Uses

Grown as a weeping specimen tree for four-season interest, and in containers of at least 20 gallons (76 L), spaced 4-10 feet (1.2-3 m). Golden fall color. Sculptural winter form. Non-toxic. Zones 3-7.

How to Identify

Identified by cascading pendulous branches bearing soft blue-green needles in rosettes of 20-40 on spur shoots that turn golden in fall and drop (deciduous conifer). The weeping form with graft union distinguishes 'Pendula' from the upright species. In Pinaceae.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height8' - 15'
Width/Spread4' - 10'

Reaches mature size in approximately 15 years

Colors

Flower Colors

pink
red

Foliage Colors

blue green
green

Fall Foliage Colors

gold
orange

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~2 weeks
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Spring
Early spring (March-April). Pink to red-purple female strobili along weeping branches before leaf-out. 2 weeks. Wind-pollinated. Brown cones 1-1.5 inches (2.5-4 cm) with reflexed scales follow.

Detailed Descriptions

Flower Description

Pink to red-purple female strobili in early spring before leaf-out; followed by small brown cones 1-1.5 inches (2.5-4 cm) with reflexed scales along the weeping branches

Foliage Description

Blue-green to gray-green, soft needle-like, 1-1.5 inches (2.5-4 cm), in rosettes of 20-40 on spur shoots along cascading pendulous branches; turns golden-yellow to orange-gold in fall before dropping — DECIDUOUS conifer

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

Full Sun
Requires 6-12 hours of direct sunlight daily
• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight
• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight
• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight

Soil Requirements

pH Range5.0 - 7.0(Neutral)
357912
Soil Types
loamclay
Drainagewell drained

Water & Climate

Water Needs

Medium

Frost Tolerance

hardy

Time to Maturity

5-8 years

Drought Tolerance

Drought tolerant when established

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Full sun (6-12 hours). Well-drained soil pH 5.0-7.0. Medium water. Intolerant of hot humid summers. Stake and train a leader upward if taller form desired. Protect graft union from ice damage. Non-toxic. Deer-resistant. Zones 3-7.

Pruning

Prune in winter dormancy (January-February). Train a central leader upward if desired height exceeds graft height. Remove competing leaders. Minimal other pruning needed — the weeping form is the primary feature.

Pruning Schedule

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winter

Maintenance Level

low

Container Growing

✓ Suitable for container growing

Minimum container size: 20 gallons

⚠️ Toxicity Warning

Non-toxic