Also known as Elm · 407 gardener saves
Ulmus: the varieties gardeners actually grow
Ulmus, the genus most gardeners know as elm. We track 14 varieties; these are the ones gardeners actually save and plant, ranked by real saves rather than catalog marketing. Each links to full care, bloom, and live price data.
The 12 most-saved Ulmus varieties
Of 14 in the catalog — ordered by how many gardeners actually grow them.
#1 most savedPrinceton Elm
Ulmus americana 'Princeton'
#2 most savedVariegated Chinese Elm
Ulmus parvifolia 'Variegata'
#3 most savedColonial Spirit American Elm
Ulmus americana 'Colonial Spirit'
Allee Lacebark Elm
Ulmus parvifolia 'Emer Ii'
Everclear Lacebark Elm
Ulmus parvifolia 'Everclear'
Prairie Expedition American Elm
Ulmus americana 'Lewis & Clark'
American Elm
Ulmus americana
New Harmony American Elm
Ulmus americana 'New Harmony'
New Horizon Elm
Ulmus 'New Horizon'
Patriot Elm
Ulmus wilsoniana 'Patriot'
Cedar Elm
Ulmus crassifolia
Drake Chinese Elm
Ulmus parviflora 'Drake'
Browse all 14 Ulmus varieties →
How to grow Ulmus
What the Ulmus varieties in our catalog actually agree on — drawn from the care records of the 14 most-grown of them, not from a generic template.
The Ulmus year
- PruneJanuary and February100% of varieties
Prune in late winter to establish good structure and remove dead wood.
- Check for PestsMay–July93% of varieties
Monitor for elm leaf beetles and Japanese beetles.
- FertilizeMarch71% of varieties
Fertilize young trees in early spring if growth is slow.
- PlantMarch, September, October and November57% of varieties
Plant in early spring or fall to allow root establishment.
Do
- Prune during dormancy to maintain a strong structure.
- Provide ample space for its large mature size.
- Water regularly during its first few seasons to establish deep roots.
- Allow the beautiful bark to develop naturally without interference.
- Monitor for pests, though it is generally resilient.
Avoid
- Do not plant in poorly drained or constantly wet soils.
- Avoid excessive fertilization, which can lead to weak growth.
- Don't prune major branches during the growing season.
- Never top the tree; it ruins its natural form.
What goes wrong with Ulmus
| Problem | What you'll see | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Elm Leaf Beetle | Skeletonized leaves (lacy appearance) caused by larvae and adults chewing. | Release beneficial insects like lacewings. Apply spinosad or carbaryl for heavy infestations. |
| Japanese Beetle | Adults skeletonize leaves, often feeding in groups. | Hand-pick beetles in the morning. Use pheromone traps away from the tree. Apply systemic insecticides containing imidacloprid as a soil drench. |
| Aphids | Clusters of small insects on new growth; sticky honeydew on leaves. | A strong spray of water can dislodge them. Use insecticidal soap or neem oil. Ladybugs are excellent natural predators. |
| Elm Bark Beetle | Small holes in bark, sawdust-like frass. The beetle itself is a vector for DED. | Maintain tree health. Insecticidal trunk sprays can protect high-value trees. |
| Dutch Elm Disease (DED) | Sudden wilting and yellowing of leaves on one or more branches (flagging). | 'Patriot' has very high resistance and is unlikely to be affected. No cure exists for susceptible elms; prevention is key. |
| Phloem Necrosis | Gradual decline, yellowing leaves, butterscotch-colored inner bark with wintergreen smell. | No cure. Control leafhopper vectors. Plant resistant cultivars. |
| Cankers | Sunken, discolored areas on branches or trunk, which may ooze. | Prune out infected branches well below the canker. Maintain tree vigor through proper watering and care. There is no chemical cure. |
Making more Ulmus
Softwood Cuttings
- Take 6-inch cuttings of new growth in late spring.
- Wound the base and dip in a rooting hormone.
- Stick in a well-drained medium like perlite and peat.
- Keep under mist or in a humidity tent; rooting occurs in 8-10 weeks.
Grafting
- Take dormant scions from a resistant cultivar in winter.
- Graft onto Ulmus americana seedling rootstock.
- This is essential to maintain the disease resistance of the cultivar.
- Requires specialized horticultural skill.
Ulmus questions
How many types of Ulmus are there?
The Sow catalog tracks 14 distinct Ulmus varieties. The most popular — ranked by 407 real gardener saves — are shown first above.
What zones does Ulmus grow in?
Across its varieties, Ulmus covers USDA Zones 4–9. Individual varieties differ — each plant page lists its exact range, and Sow filters the catalog to your zone automatically.
When does Ulmus bloom?
Most Ulmus varieties bloom in early spring, late summer, late winter. Staggering early, mid, and late varieties extends the genus's season in one bed.
Which Ulmus should I choose?
Start from the most-saved varieties above — popularity across thousands of gardens is a strong signal of reliability — then filter by your zone and sun. In the Sow app you can preview any of them in a photo of your actual yard before you buy.
Keep exploring
Design with Ulmus in your own yard
Snap a photo of your space and see these varieties planted in it — sized correctly, matched to your zone, with care reminders included.
