Larix decidua Puli - European larch, Common larch

The Larix decidua 'Puli' is a weeping, narrow variety with very drooping branches. Less wide than the 'Pendula' form, it also develops a foliage of a lighter tender green. This deciduous conifer is covered in spring with short tender green needles, which darken during the season. When autumn arrives, the foliage takes on a lovely yellow hue before falling to the ground. Very hardy, this variety of mountain origin appreciates a light and slightly moist soil, without too much limestone, even poor, as well as a sunny exposure.

The European Larch, Larix decidua, is a tall tree that can reach 30 m in height, belonging to the Pinaceae family, like Firs, Spruces, Cedars, and Pines. It is one of the few conifers, along with the Bald Cypress (Taxodium) and the Metasequoia, whose deciduous foliage falls in autumn. It is native to the mountains of central and southern Europe, where it is found at an altitude between 1400 and 2400 m. It is a pioneer species capable of improving poor or degraded soils, with great hardiness (up to -40°C). Highly valued for its wood, it adapts very well to cultivation in lowlands.

The Larix decidua 'Puli' is quite different from the original botanical species. This compact variety develops a very pronounced weeping habit with a narrow silhouette. At maturity, it reaches 3 m in height by 1.30 m wide. Its long, ramified branches hanging down to the ground, offer a regular appearance. In spring, the branches are adorned with bright green tender needle foliage, densely arranged in rosettes on the branches. The foliage then darkens slightly throughout the growing season, finally taking on beautiful yellow hues come autumn.

Extremely cold-resistant, this miniature conifer however fears drought. Perfectly suited to mountainous regions, it will not thrive in much drier southern areas. Therefore, it should be planted in fresh, well-drained soil, exposed to the sun or possibly under light shade. Once these basic needs are met, it proves to be quite easy to grow, requiring almost no maintenance, unless you wish to shape its appearance with some light pruning.

This Larix decidua 'Puli', with its elegant and narrow graphic silhouette, is a conifer that combines elegance and low requirements, perfectly suited for cultivation in small gardens or as a central piece in a massif with Japanese or exotic inspirations. Its narrow habit is ideal for enhancing an entrance. Also easy to cultivate in a large pot, it beautifies terraces and balconies. This conifer harmonizes beautifully with other conifers with bushy or spreading forms. In the design of a contemporary garden, conifers enrich the space with their graphic qualities, enhancing the aesthetic of shapes, silhouettes, and textures rather than seasonal flowering changes. They structure a massif in a sustainable way, delineate pathways, adorn terrace surroundings, and can replace trimmed boxwood due to their distinctive presence. Paired with wild grasses and heathers, they create a fascinating play of volumes and colours, offering complementary temperaments.