The field elm cultivar Ulmus minor 'Silvery Gem' is an ornamental clone raised, as Ulmus carpinifolia 'Silvery Gem', before 1965 by P. G. Zwijnenburg of Zwijnenburg nurseries, Boskoop, The Netherlands.[1]

Description

A moderately tall growing shrub, reaching about 3–4 m (9.8–13.1 ft) in 10 years and with rather dense, twiggy branches bearing ovate leaves of a grey-green or silvery colour, especially in the spring, with irregular but conspicuous creamy-white margins.[2] The colouring and variegation are most striking in spring, fading somewhat in summer.[1][3][4]

Pests and diseases

'Silvery Gem' is not known to be resistant to Dutch elm disease,[citation needed] but the low height of the tree may ensure that it avoids colonization by Scolytus bark beetles and thus remain free of infection. It has been noted that shrub-elms are usually less prone to infection.[5]

Cultivation

The clone won a Golden Medal in The Netherlands in the mid-1960s.[1] It remains available from several nurseries in Europe (see below).

Synonymy

  • Ulmus procera 'Silvery Gem'.[3]

Nurseries

Europe

References

  1. ^ a b c Grogtendorst, Herman J. (1971). "Tentoonstelling Flora Nova '70". Dendroflora. 8: 73. Retrieved 24 January 2018.
  2. ^ "Herbarium specimen - WAG.1878119". Botany catalogues. Naturalis Biodiversity Center. Herbarium specimen labelled U. carpinifolia 'Silvery Gem' (Boskoop, 1966)
  3. ^ a b Hilliers' Manual of Trees & Shrubs. (1977). David & Charles, Newton Abbot, UK.
  4. ^ Photograph and description of Ulmus minor 'Silvery Gem': Ronald Houtman, Variegated trees and shrubs: the illustrated encyclopedia (Portland, Oregon: Timber Press, in association with the Royal Boskoop Horticultural Society), p.285
  5. ^ Rafaël Govaerts, Kris Michielsen and Eike Jablonski, 'Untraced weeping broadleaf cultivars: an overview', dendrology.lu

External links