Species Chinese elm

Chinese elm

Ulmus parvifolia

Chinese elm (Ulmus parvifolia) is a deciduous tree native to Eastern Asia. It is drought tolerant and prefers full sun to partial shade. Its upright oval shape and attractive gray bark make it an ideal choice for accent trees in yards and parks. Its luxurious foliage consists of small, leathery, dark green leaves which turn yellow before shedding during the cold season. Chinese Elm is known for stressing its environment with its aggressive root system, so it is only suitable for growing in large, unrestricted areas. With its striking texture and easy-care needs, Chinese Elm is a great addition to any landscape.

Cycle:

Perennial

Watering:

Average

Propagation:

Air Layering Propagation,Grafting Propagation,Cutting,Seed Propagation

Hardiness Zone:

4 - 9

Flowers:

Reddish-green Flowers

Sun:

Full sun

Leaf:

Yes

Leaf Color:

green

Growth Rate:

Low

Maintenance:

Moderate

Drought Tolerant:

Yes

Invasive:

Yes

Care Level:

Medium

watering

Chinese elm plants thrive best when watered deeply and thoroughly every 7-14 days. The frequency of watering will depend on the weather, soil type and location. In the warmer months, when the plant is actively growing, it may need to be watered more often. During the cooler months, the plant can be watered less frequently. When watering, it's important to saturate the soil so that the water reaches the roots. Water thoroughly until the soil is evenly moist and there is a little water draining from the bottom of the pot. Chinese elms are not prone to over-watering, but make sure not to water so much that the soil becomes soggy.

sunlight

Chinese elm (Ulmus Parvifolia) plants prefer bright, indirect light, with exposure to 3 to 6 hours of sunlight each day. To ensure optimal growth, they need to have some direct sunlight exposure in the morning or early afternoon to fuel photosynthesis, while the indirect light keeps their delicate leaves from scorching. It is important to monitor the intensity and duration of sunlight and adjust the plant’s positioning to match its needs, as too much light can be damaging.

pruning

Pruning Chinese elm (Ulmus parvifolia) should take place in the late winter to early spring months, when the tree is still semi-dormant and not actively growing. Prune out any dead, diseased, or broken wood first, then thin out any branches that cross or crowd each other. When thinning, make sure that at least 2-thirds of the tree's leaves remain. Reduce the length of branches to reduce the canopy size but don’t over-prune as this could result in the tree losing too much leaf. Some selective pruning of the tree’s branches may be required in order to achieve a desired shape. When shaping Chinese elm, make sure not to leave any large stubs on the tree.

Season

Fall
Winter
Spring
Summer
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Starts Flowering

Chinese elm typically starts flowering in late spring, usually in April or May.

Hardiness Map