Ulmus minor var. vulgaris
English elm, Field elm
Also known as Ulmus carpinifolia, Ulmus minor
- Height × spread
- 38m × 20m
- Position
- Full sun
- Hardiness
- Very cold to -20C (RHS H6)
- Flowers
- Winter, Spring
Availability
Please ask in store about availability
Many plants are seasonal. Call 01234 567890 to check current stock.
About this plant
Broad, tapering leaves with sharply serrated edges, bearing some resemblance to the common birch. In spring it has reddish flowers before leaves and these turn into clusters of round pale green discs clustered on the branches. It makes a handsome towering tree with a sturdy trunk and huge dome-shaped foliage clusters, highly picturesque. The foliage turns clear strong yellow in autumn before leaf-fall. It has a life span of around 300 years and propagates itself by suckers, the seed seldom being viable. Despite its name it is thought to have originated in northern Spain. The tree reached England before the Bronze age. Sadly, this tree was stricken by 'Dutch Elm Disease'. This is a fungal infection distributed by Scolytus bark beetles that can fly. They attack trees when the bark is established. In hedgerows, despite repeated attacks, young elms can often be seen, living a few years before the bark succumbs to attack. Since logs from trees have been distributed across the world they have likewise transmitted the disease.
- Flower colour
- Red
- Foliage colour
- Green
- Fruit colour
- Green
- Variegated
- No
- Scent
- No
- Shape
- Bell
- Height
- 38m
- Spread
- 20m
- Height in 10 years
- 6m
- Spread in 10 years
- 4m
- Flowers in
- Winter, Spring
- Evergreen
- Deciduous
- Sun or shade
- Likes full sun, tolerates part shade
- Soil type
- Chalk, Loam (normal)
- Soil pH
- All types
- Drainage
- Well drained soil
- Hardiness
- Very cold to -20C (RHS H6)
- Borders & containers
- Borders
- Use for
- Architectural, Bee attraction
- Hazards
- No
Spring
Spring - late · Outdoors
Feed young plants with slow release fertiliser
Spread a slow release fertiliser around the base of the plant to the edge of the foliage spread, so that it can feed the roots. It is helpful for this to be applied for several years.
This is a simple way to provide a nutrient boost until the plant becomes well established.
Spring-Autumn · Outdoors
Water during dry periods
For plants in the ground, when there has been little or no rain for a period of 7-10 days and the soil is dry, give it a deep watering and repeat weekly until there is a downpour of rain. Check plants in pots more frequently, especially in hot weather.
Planting & general
Outdoor planting · Planting
Add root growth stimulant to the planting hole
Mycorrhizal fungi helps roots establish quickly, so they absorb water and nutrients more efficiently. It comes as a powder, granule or gel. Add to the planting hole or container, and to the plant's rootball before planting in the hole. For "bareroot" plants use a gel.
Planting
Protect & support young trees
Attach a newly planted tree or tall shrub over 1m to a tree stake to give support and prevent windrock. Use a tree guard to stop tree bark being eaten by animals, especially in areas with deer - removing bark injures a tree and in worst case can kill it.
Found in
More Ulmus
Ulmus
Elm
Ulmus 'Doedens'
Hybrid elm
Ulmus 'Sapporo Autumn Gold'
Elm
Ulmus glabra
Wych elm, Scotch elm, Mountain elm
Ulmus glabra 'Camperdownii'
Wych Elm, Scotch Elm, Mountain Elm
Ulmus parvifolia
Chinese elm, Lacebark, Lacebark elm
Ulmus pumila
Siberian elm, Dwarf elm
Ulmus x hollandica 'Dampieri Aurea'
Hybrid elm