Zelkova serrata 'Variegata' (v)

RHS Plant Profile

Japanese zelkova 'Variegata'

Trees

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A small, slow-growing, deciduous tree, to a height of up to 4m, with orange-brown shoots and bark, and green, toothed leaves edged with white. Its habit is loose and slightly arching. Leaves turn yellow in autumn

Position

Full sun, Partial shade

Soil Types

Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand

Max Height

2.5-4 metres

Max Spread

2.5-4 metres

Size

Time to Maturity: 10–20 years
Max Spread: 2.5-4 metres
Max Height: 2.5-4 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 North–facing or South–facing or West–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: Accepted

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 softwood cuttings from young plants in summer or by grafting in winter

Suggested planting locations and garden types

Architectural
Low Maintenance

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)