Ulmus glabra Pendula - Elm

The Ulmus glabra Pendula is a variety of weeping elm intended for the ornamentation of large gardens. This medium-sized tree, which develops a very dense crown in the shape of a wide dome, deserves to be highlighted. It is also characterized by a dark gray bark, a brown-violet flowering in late winter, light red winged fruits, and dark green foliage that turns yellow in autumn. Very hardy, it thrives in the sun in light, moist to wet soils, even limestone soils.

The Ulmus glabra Pendula was selected in England in 1816. Its ancestor, the mountain elm, is found in the forests and ravines of the mountains of North America as well as Western and Central Europe. It can be found up to 1700 meters (5577 feet) above sea level, in regions with harsh climates, on limestone soils, moist but well-drained.

This tree, which grows fairly quickly, reaches a height of about 6 meters (20 feet) and a minimum width of 10-12 meters (33-39 feet) at maturity. It has a flattened and wide crown supported by staggered, semi-horizontal branches, with slightly drooping twigs at their ends. Its bark, initially smooth and dark gray, develops shallow grooves over time. The deciduous foliage falls in autumn. It consists of large asymmetrical leaves, measuring 8 to 15 cm (3 to 6in) in length, obovate in shape, doubly toothed along the edges, with a lobed tip. They are very rough and dark green on the upper side, while the underside is pubescent and lighter green. The leaves at the end of the branches are curiously tightly packed against each other. In autumn, the foliage turns golden yellow, then brown. Flowering occurs in March, before the leaves appear. It takes the form of small brown to reddish flowers, grouped in small clusters on 2-year-old twigs. They are followed by the formation of clusters of winged fruits called samaras, measuring 2 to 5 cm (1 to 2in) in diameter, changing from green to light red. This elm, of great ornamental value, is susceptible to Dutch elm disease.

The Ulmus glabra Pendula is planted as a standalone tree in a large garden, or in the center of a large bed designed around it. Its graphic silhouette will be enhanced by a boxwood border, a ground cover with yellow flowers such as Forsythia Marée d'Or, variegated ivy Gloire de Marengo, or even a jasmine-like Trachelospermum jasminoides used as a ground cover, for example.