What soil does Field elm grow in?

It tolerates these soils: average garden soil, clay, 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 Field elm be planted?

Plant it at least 4 m from buildings. Keep it at least 2.5 m from paving.

How far apart should Field elm be planted?

Planted on its own, it needs 8 m between plants. For a hedge, allow 3 plants per metre.

How much water does Field elm need?

Water need: medium. Drought tolerance: medium.

Field elm

Ulmus minor

Field elm (Ulmus minor) is a large tree. Light: full sun. Hardy down to -29 °C. Drought tolerance: medium. Sold in local shops from about €38.

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

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

A native, fast growing tree of floodplains and lowlands that reaches 20 to 30 metres and copes well with drought, chalky soil, city air and occasional flooding. The plain species is still not a garden choice today: once the trunk thickens, Dutch elm disease is almost certain to strike, and meanwhile the tree throws up masses of root suckers. Nurseries therefore mostly offer the dwarf 'Jacqueline Hillier' (some sources place it under the Dutch elm, Ulmus × hollandica): a slow, dense shrub with tiny leaves that reaches roughly 2 metres high and wide if left unpruned and is used for low clipped hedges, rock gardens, containers and bonsai.

Watch out for

Dutch elm disease (Ophiostoma novo-ulmi) has killed most older field elms in Central Europe. The fungus is carried by elm bark beetles, which seek out trees with thicker trunks, so young trees and root suckers stay healthy for years and then die suddenly. The resistance of 'Jacqueline Hillier' is not known, but according to the sources this low, thin-branched shrub does not attract the beetles. The species suckers strongly from the roots, and the suckers come up in neighbouring beds and lawn. The foliage can also be damaged by elm leaf beetles, gall aphids and leaf miners. The size figures describe the species; the dwarf form reaches only a fraction of them.

Key facts

Light: Full sun
Water need: Medium
Care: High
Size after 10 years: 7 m × 4 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
Size after 10 years	7 m × 4 m
Ultimate size	20–30 m × 9–15 m
Hardiness	down to -29 °C (USDA 4, RHS H7)
Soil	Average garden soil, Clay, Calcareous
Foliage	Deciduous
Flowering	March–April, red
Water need	Medium
Drought tolerance	Medium
Maintenance	High
Root aggressiveness	Medium
Suckering	yes
Spreading	High
Distance from buildings	at least 4 m
Distance from paving	at least 2.5 m
Litter	not typical
Planting distance	800 cm
For dogs	no data
For cats	no data
For children	no data
Typical price	from about €38

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. €38

Frequently asked questions

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

Appears in these lists

Hedge plants Plants that give shade Plants for containers

Guide on the topic

Fast-growing hedges: how much each grows in a year The fastest hedge plant is the Leyland cypress, growing about 90 cm a year, followed by cherry laurel 'Novita', firethorn and western red cedar at about 50 cm a year, then privet at 40 cm. How long a 180 cm hedge takes to screen depends more on the size of plant you buy: several years from small plants, one or two summers from large ones, but at many times the price per metre. The tables use the current shop prices in your country.

Looks good next to it

Heartleaf bergenia

Bergenia cordifolia

Blue holly

Ilex × meserveae

Leatherleaf viburnum

Viburnum rhytidophyllum