5 conifers with vibrant autumn foliage

European Larch - Larix decidua

The Larix decidua is a large deciduous conifer. It grows quickly and forms a majestic, light silhouette in the beautiful season. In May-June, the globose yellow-green male aments appear alongside the upright, reddish-purple female aments. Every autumn, the Larix decidua turns a bright orange-red and is certainly not lacking in aesthetics. This resinous tree retains its cones throughout the winter period.

A quintessential mountain tree, the larch prefers a deep, moist but well-drained soil, yet well-aerated. Its soft needles take on charming autumn colours in warm brown-yellow tones before falling in winter. Its small upright cones remain decorative on the bare, trailing branches.

The tender green Larix decidua in spring turns yellow-red in autumn. On the right, a detail of its colourful cones

Find it a prime spot in a sunny corner of the garden alongside the Physocarpus opulifolius Anny’s Gold®, whose particularly bright foliage dresses in acid green edged with yellow from spring to autumn, creating a perfect harmony with the seasonal adornment of the larch. The spectacle continues in winter with the persistence of the larch’s colourful cones, accompanied by the numerous small red fruits of the ninebark highlighted against its light evergreen foliage. The end of winter heralds the return of light and signals the renewal of the fine tender green needles of the larch. Celebrate the return of spring with a carpet of Eranthis hyemalis mixed with Scilla that will benefit from this renewing light.

Metasequoia glyptostroboides 'Gold Rush'

Reserve a Metasequoia glyptostroboides ‘Gold Rush’ a sunny and open spot in your garden. In spring, its tender yellow young foliage and particularly striking form will make it the focal point of the garden. Slow-growing, its slender silhouette of less than 15 metres fits well in any medium-sized garden. Create a contemporary bed with the white birch Betula utilis jacquemontii amidst Carex or Miscanthus, beautiful upright grasses that highlight the finely cut foliage of the metasequoia. Choose varieties with variegated foliage for a decorative and bright effect.

Slender and bright silhouette of the dawn redwood Metasequoia glyptostroboides ‘Gold Rush’ with acid yellow-green in spring turning russet in autumn

Japanese Larch - Larix kaempferi

The Larix kaempferi, also known as Japanese larch, is a beautiful deciduous conifer that is best suited for large gardens and our cool, moist regions near the Atlantic. Its vibrant autumn colour tinged with bronze-yellow to orange captures all attention and lasts for several weeks. It shines in spring when its young needles appear bluish-green and its branches are dotted with small pale green cones. With its elegant silhouette and harmonious, conical, airy habit, it thrives in light, neutral to acidic soil that does not dry out too much in summer and enjoys a sunny exposure.

This deciduous conifer for a low-maintenance garden creates a stunning display for many weeks in autumn

Plant alongside Japanese maples Acer palmatum with decorative, finely cut and colourful foliage and a few Escallonias with varied flowering for an exotic atmosphere. At ground level, discover the uniqueness of two beautiful groundcovers: the Cornus canadensis perennial dogwood groundcover with its glowing red foliage in autumn and large white inflorescences, followed by bright red berries. More vigorous than lily of the valley, the Maianthemum bifolium celebrates spring with its abundant ornamental white flowering beneath the tender green larch for a low-maintenance garden.

The Tree of Forty Crowns - Ginkgo biloba 'Blagon'

From a botanical perspective, the Ginkgo biloba fastigiata ‘Blagon’, also known as the Maidenhair Tree, is a beautiful tree that slowly reaches 10 m in height. Its particularly narrow and conical habit fits well in all gardens, including urban environments where it is not afraid of pollution. Its branches bear characteristic fan-shaped leaves that turn beautiful golden colours in autumn.

Create a natural bed at its base with the Neillia affinis which highlights the regular geometric silhouette of the ginkgo above a dense, soft carpet. Its very elegant foliage resembles that of raspberry and bramble, turning orange and yellow in autumn to match that of the ginkgo. Its flowering in pink clusters followed by colourful berries emphasises this rustic charm.

The Ginkgo biloba fastigiata ‘Blagon’ raises its elegant golden-yellow dense cone in any type of garden

This natural decorative aspect is also found in Rubus spectabilis ‘Olympic Double’, a beautiful bramble that offers miniature rose-like flowers in early spring of a bright purplish-pink that contrasts with the tender green of its young leaves.

Bald Cypress - Taxodium distichum

The Taxodium distichum is a large deciduous ornamental conifer. Easy to grow in fresh, deep soil in our climates, it asserts its place with its beautiful pyramidal habit, reaching heights of 20 to 25 m. Highlight its reddish-brown bark and finely dissected foliage above a carpet of ferns Dryopteris with their upright, delicately crafted fronds. Place under its small light green leaves that create a light shade some Filipendula for their acid green foliage and summer flowering in large, airy pink inflorescences. Accompany the imposing silhouette of the bald cypress with a dense thicket of Salix or ornamental cherry trees from our Prunus collection.

This large and beautiful deciduous tree needs fresh to moist soil to enhance its autumn colours.

→ Learn all about the bald cypress in our comprehensive file: Taxodium, planting, growing, and care