Ulmus plotii

RHS Plant Profile

Plot's elm

Other common names

lock elm, Lock's elm, Plot elm

Synonyms

Ulmus minor var. lockii
Ulmus minor subsp. plotii

Trees

A large deciduous tree, reaching about 30m high, with a narrow habit, often with an arching leader, and short branches with pendent branchlets. Broad, toothed, dark green leaves turn yellow in autumn, and tiny red flowers in spring are followed by clusters of green winged seeds

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: 20–50 years
Max Spread: 4-8 metres
Max Height: Higher than 12 metres

Growing Conditions

Chalk Clay Loam Sand

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

Position

Full sun Partial shade

Aspect: East–facing or North–facing or South–facing or West–facing
Exposure: Exposed or 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): H5

Colour & Scent

Season	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family: Ulmaceae
Native to GB/Ireland: Yes
Foliage: Deciduous
Habit: Columnar upright
Genus: Ulmus are deciduous trees, often large, with elliptic or ovate leaves often colouring well in autumn; inconspicuous flowers are followed by winged fruits
Name Status: Correct
Plant Range: British Isles

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow in any well drained soil in full sun or partial shade

Propagation

Propagate by softwood cuttings in summer, or by seed, see trees and shrubs from seed

Suggested planting locations and garden types

Architectural
Coastal
Cottage and informal garden

Pruning

Pruning group 1

Pests

May be susceptible to aphids, bark beetles, leafhoppers and elm gall mites

Diseases

May be susceptible to Dutch elm disease, coral spot, honey fungus and phytophthora