Zelkova serrata

Zelkova serrata (18/11/2012, Kew Gardens, London)

Position: Full sun to partial shade

Flowering period: Spring

Soil: Moist, well drained

Eventual Height: 25m

Eventual Spread: 15m

Hardiness: 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b

Family: Ulmaceae

Zelkova serrata is a medium sized deciduous tree with a vase shaped habit whilst young, maturing to a rounded head.  Its dark green leaves are alternate, ovate with crenate margins, rough on the upper surface, up to 7cm long and 4cm broad. Its leaves turn yellow/ orange before they fall in autumn. Its branches are upright in habit. Its trunk is usually short. Its young bark is smooth and grey with pronominal lenticels, as this tree matures its bark exfoliates to expose orange inner bark. Its yellow/ green flowers are inconspicuous, appear in the leaf axils and wind pollinated. Its fruit is a wingless drupe, up to 3.5mm in diameter, initially green, maturing to a brown colour.

Zelkova serrata Autumn Leaf (18/11/2012, Kew Gardens, London)

Zelkova serrata, commonly known as the Japanese Zelkova, Japanese Grey-Bark Elm, Keaki or Keyaki, is native to Japan, eastern China, Korea and Taiwan. This tree was introduced into the UK in 1861.

The etymological root of the binomial name Zelkova is derived from the Caucasian name for this tree ‘tselkwa’. Serrata is derived from the Latin serratus meaning ‘saw’, in reference to the leaf margins of this tree.

The landscape architect may find Zelkova serrata useful as a street tree or parkland tree. This tree is tolerant of urban conditions.

Ecologically, Zelkova serrata seed is attractive to some mammals and birds.

Zelkova serrata Bark (18/11/2012, Kew Gardens, London)

The Royal Horticultural Society has given Zelkova serrata their prestigious Award of Garden Merit in 1993.

Zelkova serrata prefers moist, fertile, well-drained soils. It tolerates most pH of soil.

Zelkova serrata requires little maintenance.

Ulmus parvifolia

Ulmus parvifolia (18/11/2012, Kew Gardens)

Position: Full sun to light shade

Flowering period: Late summer

Soil: Moist, well drained

Eventual Height: 18m

Eventual Spread:15m

Hardiness: 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b, 10a

Family: Ulmaceae

Ulmus parvifolia is a fast growing, small/ medium sized deciduous/ semi-evergreen tree with a slender/ vase shaped habit. Its mid green glossy leaves are alternate, elliptic with entire margins, up to 5cm long and 3cm broad. Its leaves turn yellow in autumn before they fall. Its flaking bark is grey, tan and red in colour. Its flowers are without petals, are inconspicuous and are wind pollinated.. Its fruit is a flattened sumara, up to 13mm long and 8mm broad.

Ulmus parvifolia Autumn Leaf (18/11/2012, Kew Gardens)

Ulmus parvifolia, commonly known as Chinese Elm or Lacebark Elm, is native to China, Japan, Korea and Vietnam. This variety of Ulmus is mostly resistant to Dutch Elm Disease. It was introduced into the UK in the late 18th century.

The etymological root of the binomial name Ulmus is from the Latin name for this tree. Parvifolia is derived from the Latin parvus meaning ‘small’ and folium meaning ‘leaf.

The landscape architect may find Ulmus parvifolia useful as an attractive street tree. Once established this tree is drought tolerant. It will tolerate air pollution. It is tolerant of windy coastal conditions.

Ulmus parvifolia Bark (18/11/2012, Kew Gardens)

Ecologically, Ulmus parvifolia seed is attractive to some birds.

Ulmus parvifolia prefers moist, fertile, well-drained soils. It tolerates most pH of soil.

Ulmus parvifolia requires little maintenance.

Carex testacea

Carex testacea (18/11/2012, Kew Gardens, London)

Position: Full sun to partial shade

Flowering period: Summer

Soil: Moist, well drained

Eventual Height: 50cm

Eventual Spread: 50cm

Hardiness: 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a

Family: Cyperaceae

Carex testacea is an evergreen medium sized clump forming grass. Its leaves are strap shaped and arching, appear olive green in spring and turn copper/ orange as the mature. Its flowers appear on small brown spikes.

Carex testacea, commonly known as the Orange New Zealand Sedge or Orange Sedge, is native to New Zealand.

The etymological root of the binomial name Carex is from the old Latin name for reed grasses, sedges and rushes. Testacea is from the Latin meaning ‘resembling brick colour’, in reference to the colour of this grasses leaves.

The landscape architect may find Carex testacea useful as a dynamic ground cover plant and it looks fantastic when planted en mass.. Once established this grass is drought tolerant. It is tolerant of maritime conditions. For best orange colour grow in full sun.

Carex testacea Detail (18/11/2012, Kew Gardens, London)

Ecologically, Carex testacea seeds are attractive to some birds.

Carex testacea prefers moist, fertile, well-drained soils. It tolerates most pH of soil. It will not tolerate wet soils.

Carex testacea requires little maintenance. To keep a tidy appearance this grass may be combed in the winter months to remove dead foliage.

Landscape Architecture