Ulmus minor Webbiana - Elm

Ulmus minor 'Webbiana', also known as Webb's Curly-Leaved Elm, is an unusual cultivar of field elm and is rarely planted in gardens. Its unique leaves, pyramidal habit, and tall stature make it a standout in a park or large garden. Although it is not resistant to Dutch elm disease, this cultivar is sought after by collectors for its ornamental value. Perfectly adapted to our climates, very hardy, and tolerant of a wide range of neutral to alkaline soils, including heavy, chalky, and slightly dry soils.

Ulmus minor 'Webbiana' belongs to the Ulmaceae family. This tree was discovered in London, in Lee's Nursery, around 1868. This cultivar of field elm is characterised by short, rounded leaves, dark green on the upper side and whitish green underneath, folding longitudinally in a "frizzy" manner. Its habit is pyramidal with ascending branches, and its deciduous foliage is relatively sparse. The tree is female and produces fruits. Its subtle flowering occurs in March-April, before the leaves appear in the form of clusters of small red flowers that develop on two-year-old branches. The flowers are followed, in the presence of a male subject nearby, by bi-coloured winged fruits, light red in the centre and lime-green on the edges. The trunk is covered with a rough bark typical of elms. This cultivar was distributed in the trade in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, notably by the Späth nurseries in Berlin and Louis van Houtte in Ghent.

The species, Ulmus minor (syn. Ulmus campestris), is native to a vast area covering Europe, Asia Minor, and North Africa. It is a member of the Ulmaceae family. Nowadays, the Field Elm can still be found here and there, in the form of coppices, regularly cut back due to the disease. A few rare individuals seem to escape Dutch elm disease, and the species also persists in the form of attractive horticultural varieties with reduced growth. Thriving in neutral to chalky soils, this tree appreciates a certain dampness, but can tolerate drier conditions when deeply rooted.

This 'Webbiana' Elm is suitable for large estates and parks due to its significant growth. It will be enhanced by the presence of purple-leaved trees such as Acer platanoides Crimson King, a large Norway Maple with almost black foliage, or the Purple Beech (Fagus sylvatica Atropurpurea). In a park, it can be accompanied by native species such as Quercus robur (English oak), Carpinus betulus (European hornbeam), Tilia cordata (small-leaved lime), and Acer campestre (field maple).