What soil does Dutch elm grow in?

It tolerates these soils: average garden soil, clay, sandy, calcareous.

Hardy down to -29 °C (USDA zone 4, RHS H7). It gets through winter in every part of the country.

How far from the house should Dutch elm be planted?

Plant it at least 1.5 m from buildings. Keep it at least 1.5 m from paving.

How much water does Dutch elm need?

Water need: medium. Drought tolerance: low.

Dutch elm

Ulmus × hollandica

Dutch elm (Ulmus × hollandica) is a large tree. Light: full sun, part shade. Hardy down to -29 °C. Drought tolerance: low. Sold in local shops from about €31.

Illustration of Dutch elm — An illustration of the typical shape of the mature plant, not a photo.

What it's good for, and what it isn't

Dutch elm is the hybrid group between wych elm and field elm; for gardens it is mostly sold as two small forms: the golden-leaved, narrowly columnar Wredei and the dwarf, small-leaved, bushy Jacqueline Hillier. Both make good specimens for a small garden in sun or part shade, in moist but well-drained soil, and they accept lime. They dislike drought, and because of Dutch elm disease no elm is an entirely safe investment. The old, large street-tree clones are not garden plants.

Watch out for

Dutch elm disease (a vascular wilt fungus spread by elm bark beetles) still kills elms across Central Europe, and resistance differs by cultivar. Sources describe the golden Wredei partly as susceptible and partly as somewhat more resistant than other elms, so it cannot be relied on. The dwarf Jacqueline Hillier is probably resistant and is too low to attract the bark beetles. Groeneveld shows little sensitivity, while the moderate resistance of the old clone Commelin did not hold against the more aggressive strain. No elm is immune: if a branch suddenly wilts and browns in summer, cut it out and destroy it at once. Larvae and adults of the elm leaf beetle skeletonise the leaves, with up to three generations in warm years. The yellow foliage of Wredei can scorch in drought and hot sun, and it turns greener as the tree ages. Sizes vary enormously within the group; the figures given describe the two garden forms.

Key facts

Light: Full sun, Part shade
Water need: Medium
Care: Medium
Size after 10 years: 4 m × 1.5 m
Hardiness: down to -29 °C
Foliage: Deciduous
Flowering: J F M A M J J A S O N D March–April, red

Group	Large tree
Light	Full sun, Part shade
Size after 10 years	4 m × 1.5 m
Ultimate size	2–12 m × 1–5 m
Hardiness	down to -29 °C (USDA 4, RHS H7)
Soil	Average garden soil, Clay, Sandy, Calcareous
Foliage	Deciduous
Flowering	March–April, red
Water need	Medium
Drought tolerance	Low
Maintenance	Medium
Root aggressiveness	Low
Suckering	no data
Spreading	Low
Distance from buildings	at least 1.5 m
Distance from paving	at least 1.5 m
Litter	not typical
Planting distance	300 cm
For dogs	no data
For cats	no data
For children	no data
Typical price	from about €31

Toxicity data is for information only. If your pet or child has eaten a plant, contact a vet or a doctor.

Sizes and prices available

The same plant is sold as a small pot and as a specimen several metres tall, and the price follows. Prices are rounded and for guidance only.

Size	Typical price
size not stated	approx. €31

Frequently asked questions

Data updated: October 8, 2026 · How our data is made

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