Recently weeping larch can often be seen on the plots of our country. Its interesting and elegant look captivates many landscape designers. This article will discuss the features of planting and caring for this plant.

Botanical description of weeping larch

Stem larch may have a height of 1–8 m. This indicator depends on the plant variety and the place of vaccination. The width of the stem of an adult tree reaches 1.5 m. The annual growth of the trunk is 10–20 cm. The crown, as a rule, increases by 20 cm during this period. The shape depends on the trim.

At the beginning of the vegetative period, bundles of needles form on the tree. The needles are flexible and painted in different shades of green (depending on grade). On thin and uneven shoots you can see a huge number of tubercles, processes. In a mature plant, cones are formed on the crown, which are male and female. The latter are distinguished by a brighter color. Their shape resembles a small rose. In the autumn period, the needles turn yellow and fall.

Varieties of larch weeping

Gardeners prefer to plant low-growing varieties of this plant on their site. They do not require much space and look very impressive.

The most common include:

1. Bullets. It is characterized by light green color of needles. Shoots go down to the ground.
2. Kornik. Very beautiful plant. It has an emerald color and spherical crown.
3. Gray pearl. A tree grows up to 2 m. The crown consists of densely spaced shoots. The shape is round.
4. Kreichi. A miniature plant that does not exceed a height of 1 m. Crohn's fluffy with irregular shape.
5. Bambino. This variety is the lowest, since it grows to only 20 cm. The crown is spherical with bluish-green needles.

Advantages and disadvantages of weeping larch

• The advantages of this tree include:
• beautiful view;
• high resistance to various diseases and infections;
• not afraid of strong winds;
• is a frost-resistant plant;
• drought tolerance;
• unpretentiousness in leaving;
• rarely seedlings are affected by rodents.

• Gardeners rarely see flaws in weeping larch. You can highlight these:
• some varieties grow very slowly;
• in comparison with other types of conifers in winter, this plant looks less beautiful.

Growing larch weeping with a drooping crown

This plant belongs to unpretentious cults in care. After you have purchased a seedling, it is necessary to take into account the peculiarities of growing larch. Further in the article about this we will go in more detail.

Choosing a place to land

If you want to see a beautiful tree on your site, then you need to find a place with good access to sunlight. Penumbra may also come up. The soil should be light. If it has a high level of acidity, be sure to do drainage and liming. Sandy land is not suitable for this plant, it can die in such conditions.

Ground and pit preparation

Before planting, it is necessary to prepare the soil and the pit.

To do this, you need to do the following:

1. First you need to prepare the hole. Its size depends on the size of the earthen coma on the seedling. The pit should be twice as large as him. The optimal depth is 80 cm.
2. Next, prepare the soil mixture, which will be filled with a hole in the plant. In a ratio of 1: 1: 2, it is necessary to mix the soil, peat and humus. If there is a lot of clay in the earth, then a small amount of sand should be added to it.
3. At the bottom of the pit, it is necessary to pour a small layer of prepared soil and immerse a lump with seedlings in the pit, and then fill it with the rest of the soil mixture. The surface near the trunk is well tamped.

Features and rules for planting decorative weeping larch

Planting of this decorative tree has its own characteristics.

The following rules should be considered in the process:

1. For planting, seedlings that are no more than 2 years old are best suited.
2. Buy seedlings in containers with a closed root system. This is very convenient, since an important part of the plant will be protected from various injuries.
3. It is recommended to plant larch in the early spring, so that before the onset of winter, she has managed to get stronger.
4. The landing area should be flat or on a hill so that water does not accumulate near the tree. Excessive moisture is undesirable.
5. Initially, choose a permanent place for the plant. It does not tolerate transplant.
6. If you decide to plant several such trees in your garden, then observe an interval between them of 2-3 m. So they will grow better.

Further care for weeping larch

After planting, you do not have to spend a lot of time caring for this tree. It requires little attention, therefore, is popular among gardeners.

Important! Do not be afraid to plant other plants under the larch, which can create an interesting composition. It practically does not create a shadow.

Proper watering

Regular watering is necessary only for young plants. This should be done 2 times a week for 2 buckets per tree. In the rainy period, in order not to create excess moisture for the root system, this procedure should be stopped. Adult larch trees do not need additional watering; they independently feed on moisture from seasonal rains.

Lighting

This plant loves the sun's rays. In a lighted place, the tree has a healthier color, a beautiful color of needles. That is why it is necessary to think about it not only at the time of landing, but also with further growth. Do not plant large trees or bushes on the territory that will create a shadow for larch.

Did you know? There is only one species of larch - Japanese, which is able to grow in poor lighting conditions.

Humidity and air temperature

Above in the article, you already read that a plant needs watering only in the first 2 years after planting. Further, the tree is able to self-feed with moisture. It feels great in places with a deep occurrence of groundwater, since conifers often undergo rotting of the root system due to excess moisture.Weeping larch is not only not afraid of severe frosts, but also she is not afraid of sudden changes in temperature. She easily transfers them.

Cropping and shaping the crown

The tree must be pruned regularly. This should be done once a year.

Important! In order for the sun to penetrate each branch, larch is thinned out. To do this, remove the thin shoots, and shorten the rest by half.

Pruning happens:

1. Formative. Spend it to young trees. The period is spring. It provides for the removal of excess branches and cutting points of growth. After this, the crown becomes more magnificent.
2. Anti-aging. This type of pruning is suitable for mature trees. Periods - spring or early autumn. In the process, mature branches need to be shortened by a third, after which young shoots will grow on them.
3. Sanitary. Trimming is done only when necessary. The cause may be the appearance on the tree of a disease or pests. All affected branches must be removed immediately.

Video: Larch crown formation

Mulching and cultivation

Mulching and loosening is an essential part of plant care in the first 2 years after planting. The soil around the seedling must be weeded regularly. Several times during the season (3-4) loosening is carried out (about 20 cm). After each watering, the trunk circle is mulched. As a material, pine bark, peat and humus are suitable. This layer (6-7 cm) allows you to maintain normal humidity for the root system.

Fertilizing and fertilizers

For the active growth of weeping larch, it must be fertilized with potash and phosphorus fertilizers (60 g per tree). Compost also favorably affects the tree (1 bucket per tree). Top dressing is introduced in the spring. Gardeners recommend purchasing Kemira fertilizer. In early summer, urea (10 g per 10 l of water) is added under the plants. In addition, in specialized stores you can buy mixes for conifers.

Preparing for the winter

Mature trees do not need preparation for the winter period. This is a frost-resistant plant that can grow in almost all regions of Russia. Young larch is more sensitive in this matter. She needs to be prepared for the winter. Around the tree make a fence, which is covered with a tarpaulin or other material.

Tips for growing weeping larch

To all of the above, you can add a few more tips for growing this tree:

1. Buy seedlings only in nurseries or garden centers. In non-specialized stores, you may be sold poor quality planting material.
2. Before and during planting with a seedling, you need to behave very carefully. The slightest damage can adversely affect the further shape of the crown.
3. It is useful to water the larch in which fresh mushrooms were washed.
4. Inspect the plant regularly and check for pests and infection. Larch is infrequent, but suffers from a mining moth. After its defeat, the needles very quickly lose their color and become soft, so it is important to prevent the problem in time.

Compositions with weeping larch

Larch on the stem is able to decorate any area. It has universal application in the design of the territory.

Often this plant can be seen:

• on the alpine slides;
• near the entrance to the house;
• on the flower beds;
• as a hedge;
• near the arbors.

She will look great in an individual design. It is not necessary to make a composition. If you want to plant suitable plants near it, then this is not difficult, since larch harmoniously complements any culture. It has a special and stylish combination with dark coniferous cultures.

Did you know? Venice is built on stilts from Siberian larch, so this wood is very strong and in demand. Everything that is made of this material can serve more than one century.

You are unlikely to meet a gardener who will be unhappy that weeping larch is growing on his site. When planting such a plant, your site will acquire a stylish and durable decoration.