Zelkova serrata Green Vase ('Flekova')

RHS Plant Profile

Japanese zelkova [Green Vase]

Synonyms

Zelkova serrata 'Flekova'

Trees

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A fast-growing, vase-shaped, deciduous tree to 12m tall, with upright, arching branches. At maturity the bark is smooth and grey, peeling to reveal orange patches. Toothed, fresh green leaves emerge in spring and turn orange and bronze-red in autumn. An elegant specimen tree

Position

Full sun, Partial shade

Soil Types

Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand

Max Height

Higher than 12 metres

Max Spread

4-8 metres

Size

Time to Maturity: more than 50 years
Max Spread: 4-8 metres
Max Height: Higher than 12 metres

Growing Conditions

Chalk Clay Loam Sand

Moisture: Moist but well–drained
pH: Acid or Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full sun Partial shade

Aspect: East–facing or South–facing or West–facing or North–facing
Exposure: Sheltered
Hardiness

Hardiness Ratings

All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

H1A: under glass all year (>15C)
H1B: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
H1C: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20): H6

Colour & Scent

Season	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family: Ulmaceae
Native to GB/Ireland: No
Foliage: Deciduous
Habit: Spreading branched
Genus: Zelkova are large deciduous trees or shrubs with neatly serrate, ovate leaves and inconspicuous flowers and fruit; good autumn colour
Name Status: Trade

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow in deep, fertile, moist but well-drained soil in sun or partial shade with protection from cold, drying winds

Propagation

Propagate by sowing seed in containers in a cold frame in autumn. Take greenwood cuttings (preferably from young plants) in summer. Graft in winter. Remove rooted suckers in winter

Suggested planting locations and garden types

Architectural

Pruning

See pruning group 1

Pests

May be susceptible to horse chestnut scale

Diseases

May be susceptible to bacterial canker, Dutch elm disease and honey fungus (rarely)