Plant of the month July 2022

Bruns Plant of the month July 2022

Ulmus x hollandica 'Jacqueline Hillier'

This elm was discovered in 1966 in England in Birmingham in a private garden.

Ulmus x hollandica ‘Jacqueline Hillier’ is a slow-growing small tree or large shrub. The canopy is spready and dense with a cloudy shape. It can reach a height of approximately 6 m and a width of 3-4 m. In older age this elm develops an umbrella-shaped canopy.

The trunks are grey-brown in colour and have a lengthwise crackled wood structure. The branches and twigs grow in a tangled, knotty manner and the small trees therefore show a very picturesque growth form.

The leaves are rough, dark green, strikingly small, pointed oval, about 2-3 cm long and 1-1.5 cm wide. The leaf edge is double serrated .The leaves are alternate and deciduous. The autumn colour is bright yellow. Flowers and fruits are not noticeable.

Early in the growing season, new shoots come out from the leaf axils which produces a very dense crown with many, almost whorled young shoots.

Ulmus x hollandica ‘Jacqueline Hillier’ grows in moist, fresh and nutrient-rich soils.

This elm is hardy, winter hardiness zone 5a and mostly resistant. It grows in sun and semi-shade.

Ulmus x hollandica ‘Jacqueline Hillier’ is suitable for small gardens – as a container plant and as a cloud-pruned bonsai.