Ulmus minor Viminalis Aurea - Elm

Ulmus minor 'Viminalis Aurea', commonly known as the Golden-leaved Small-leaved Elm, is a small tree sought after for its decorative foliage and compact size. Suitable for smaller gardens, this cultivar stands out with its strongly toothed, bronze to golden leaves, which bring a bright touch to the garden, especially early in the season. Perfectly adapted to our climates, very hardy, and able to thrive in a wide range of neutral to alkaline soils, including heavy, chalky, and fairly dry soils, this tree is unfortunately susceptible to Dutch elm disease.

Ulmus minor 'Viminalis Aurea' is a cultivar selected before 1866 by Egide Rosseels from Leuven (Belgium), who is also credited with the Ulmus 'Viminalis'. The species, Ulmus minor (syn. Ulmus campestris), is native to a vast area covering Europe, Asia Minor, and North Africa. It belongs to the Ulmaceae family. Nowadays, the Field Elm can still be found here and there, in the form of coppices regularly cut back due to the disease. A few rare individuals seem to escape Dutch elm disease, and the species also survives in the form of attractive horticultural varieties with reduced growth.
The 'Viminalis Aurea' elm forms a large shrub or a small tree with an upright habit and an irregular crown. Its growth is quite fast, reaching a height of 2 to 5 m and a spread of 1 to 3 m depending on the growing conditions. The bark covering its trunk and older branches is ash grey and quite decorative. The branches of this variety are flexible, somewhat like willow branches. The obovate leaves, smaller and shinier than those of other elms, measure between 4 and 7 cm in length. They have many small teeth deeply incised along the edges. These leaves are yellow to golden bronze in early summer, then they turn greenish over the weeks. They give the plant a unique and changing appearance throughout the seasons. The autumn foliage is more or less bronze, with a slight golden hue. It dries up and falls in autumn. Ulmus minor 'Viminalis Aurea' does not produce spectacular flowers or fruits; this variety is mainly appreciated for its decorative foliage. Preferring neutral to chalky soils, it appreciates a certain degree of moisture, but can tolerate drier conditions when deeply rooted.

This 'Viminalis Aurea' Elm is suitable for gardens of all sizes. This small tree can be planted as a standalone specimen, in a grove, or in a mixed hedge. Its golden foliage complements darker foliage as well as colourful blooms. It can be planted alongside a Viburnum opulus 'Oh Canada', a Cotinus coggygria 'Royal Purple', a purple hazelnut, a large Weigela florida 'Rosea', and a Berberis ottawensis 'Superba' with purple-violet foliage, for example.