Ulmus parvifolia ‘Drake’ ~ Drake Chinese Elm

Ulmus parvifolia ‘Drake’ ~ Drake Chinese ElmDrake Chinese Elm is a deciduous tree with dense foliage, arching branches creating a rounded to weeping canopy, and a fluted exfoliating trunk. The narrow shiny dark green leaves with small teeth can turn shades of yellow, red, or purple in fall. Insignificant fall flowers give way to papery wing like seed pods that mature mid fall. Grows best with full sun and rich well drained soils. Can tolerate both dry and wet sites. Type: Tree Origins: China

Drake Chinese Elm is a deciduous tree with dense foliage, arching branches creating a rounded to weeping canopy, and a fluted exfoliating trunk.  The narrow shiny dark green leaves with small teeth can turn shades of yellow, red, or purple in fall.  Insignificant fall flowers give way to papery wing-like seed pods that mature mid-fall.  Grows best with full sun and rich well-drained soils.   Can tolerate both dry and wet sites.

MAINTENANCE NEEDS: Low Maintenance. Elms are susceptible to phloem necrosis and wetwood.  Other potential issues include wilts, rots, canker, leaf spots as well as pests such as miners, borers, and scale. 

LANDSCAPE USES:  Accents or Group Plantings, Borders, Woodland Gardens, Rock Gardens, Ponds and Streams, and Shade Tree.

COMPANION PLANTS: Crape Myrtle, Fountain Grass, Maple

IMAGES: Ptelea, Ulmus parvifolia 'Drake', CC BY-SA 4.0