. I remember that tree would get the most delightful yellow/copper/orange needles when the weather in April was really cold, the problem was most years that the wind was always knocking the needles off before the whole tree has time to go full autumn colour. At the new place this year, because we have a lot of sun exposure and open spaces where it can get a bit windy, my larches have been more challenging than previous years. I will have to be a lot more hands on with their placement and care next year, if I want to have good looking Larches again. Despite their percieved tenderness to Australian conditions, I maintain that a sunny aspect is important for getting them growing strongly. They are a great and faily easy to look after species if you can get the timing right (which really seems to vary from tree to tree) and take a few seasons to get familiar with them before drastic training. I was even able to grow them fine in suburban Melbourne through the drought years, despite some early (sometimes spectacular) failures.
And yes, that is fast becoming an enviable collection there Matthew
Cheers,
Mojo
