Family
Pinaceae
Botanical Name
Larix laricina 'Blue Sparkler'
Plant Common Name
Blue Sparkler Eastern Larch, Eastern Larch
Special Notice
This entry has yet to be reviewed and approved by L2G editors.
General Description
Brightening the landscape with a dense foliar display of light blue-green needles, Blue Sparkler dwarf tamarack also heralds fall with golden yellow needles. Native to much of Canada and the extreme northern United States, this variety was selected by Sid Waxman of the University of Connecticut. It is a vigorous, dwarfed, deciduous shrub that will become broader than tall.
The needles are bright blue-green, short, three-sided and arranged densely in spiral clusters atop short stubby spurs. The thin, young branchlets are held up and out from the plant so that they look like ghostly blue sparkler candles as they are covered in needles. The male and female cones appear on the branchlets in late spring, and the female cones that develop after pollination are quite small, egg-shaped, tan, and remain through the winter and following spring. The return of cool nights in late summer will find the foliage turning yellow and gold.
Provide a full sun exposure for the Blue Sparkler tamarack and place it in a moist, well-draining, acidic soil. It is tolerant of wet, boggy soils as well. Often difficult to locate in the nursery trade, it will be encountered only in regions with very cold winters and cool summers. It resents shade, root disturbance, drought and pollution and therefore is best used as an undisturbed specimen in the mixed border. It responds well to shearing.
Characteristics
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AHS Heat Zone
5 - 1
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USDA Hardiness Zone
1 - 4
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Sunset Zone
A1, A2, A3, 1a, 1b, 2a
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Plant Type
Needled or Scaled Evergreen
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Sun Exposure
Full Sun
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Height
6'-10' / 1.8m - 3.0m
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Width
8'-12' / 2.4m - 3.7m
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Bloom Time
Late Spring
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Native To
North America, North-Central United States, Western United States, Canada
Ornamental Features
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Flower Interest
Insignificant
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Flower Color
Green, Purple
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Fruit Color
Tan, Brown
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Foliage Color (Spring)
Sea Green, Blue Green
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Foliage Color (Summer)
Sea Green, Blue Green
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Foliage Color (Fall)
Yellow, Gold
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Bark Color
Sandy Brown, Gray
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Fragrant Flowers
No
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Fragrant Fruit
No
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Fragrant Foliage
No
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Bark or Stem Fragrant
No
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Repeat Bloomer
No
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Showy Fruit
Yes
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Edible Fruit
No
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Showy Foliage
Yes
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Foliage Texture
Fine
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Foliage Sheen
Matte
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Evergreen
No
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Showy Bark
Yes
Special Characteristics
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Bark Texture
Fissured
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Usage
Bog Garden, Container, Feature Plant, Foundation, Hedges, Mixed Border
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Sharp or Has Thorns
No
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Invasive
No
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Self-Sowing
No
