| Ulmus minor 'Silvery Gem' | |
|---|---|
| Species | Ulmus minor |
| Cultivar | 'Silvery Gem' |
| Origin | Europe |
The field elm cultivar Ulmus minor 'Silvery Gem' is an ornamental clone raised, as Ulmus carpinifolia 'Silvery Gem', before 1965 by P. G. Zwijnenburg of Zwijnenburg nurseries, Boskoop, The Netherlands. [1]
A moderately tall growing shrub, reaching about 3–4 m (9.8–13.1 ft) in 10 years and with rather dense, twiggy branches bearing ovate leaves of a grey-green or silvery colour, especially in the spring, with irregular but conspicuous creamy-white margins. [2] The colouring and variegation are most striking in spring, fading somewhat in summer. [1] [3] [4]
'Silvery Gem' is not known to be resistant to Dutch elm disease,[ citation needed ] but the low height of the tree may ensure that it avoids colonization by Scolytus bark beetles and thus remain free of infection. It has been noted that shrub-elms are usually less prone to infection. [5]
The clone won a Golden Medal in The Netherlands in the mid-1960s. [1] It remains available from several nurseries in Europe (see below).