The Chinese elm cultivar Ulmus parvifolia 'Frosty', or 'Frosty' lacebark elm, was intended primarily as a dwarf variegated variety. Krüssmann (1976) states that it was raised in Japan.Krüssmann, Johann Gerd, Handbuch der Laubgehölze (Vol. 3) (Paul Parey, Berlin and Hamburg, 1976); trans. Michael E. Epp, Manual of Cultivated Broad-Leaved Trees and Shrubs (Vol. 3) (Batsford, Timber Press, Beaverton, Oregon, 1984-6), p.411 It was first distributed by the Mitsch Nursery, Oregon, USA.U. parvifolia 'Drake'; Handbuch der Ulmengewächse (Handbook of the Elm Family); ulmen-handbuch.de
Description The tree is distinguished by its small leaves, which rarely exceed 18 mm in length and feature at first irregular white-flecked margins, "finally white only on the teeth".William Jackson Bean, Trees and shrubs hardy in Great Britain, 8th edition (London, 1980)U. parvifolia, treesandshrubsonline.org The foliage emerges creamy-yellow in spring,U. parvifolia 'Frosty', Silvan, Victoria; jftnurseries.com.au some leaves remaining pale later into the year.U. parvifolia 'Frosty', landscapeplants.oregonstate.edu The canopy turns rich yellow in the fall. Descriptions of the cultivar's vigour and ultimate height vary from "a slow-growing shrub attaining no more than 8 ft (2.5 m)", to "growing at a fast rate, to about 20 ft tall at maturity, with a spread of 15 ft".'Frosty' elm, U. parvifolia 'Frosty', plants.westonnurseries.com/12130019/Plant/8266
Pests and diseases The species and its cultivars are highly resistant, but not immune, to Dutch elm disease, and unaffected by the elm leaf beetle Xanthogaleruca luteola.
Cultivation 'Frosty' is relatively common in cultivation on both sides of the Atlantic. In 2008 it was described as "uncommon" in Victoria, Australia. Spencer (1995) reported it first listed in Australia around 1982 but present earlier (see Notable Trees).Spencer, Roger, ed., Horticultural Flora of South-Eastern Australia, Vol. 2 (Sydney, 1995), Ulmus, p.115
Notable trees Spencer (1995) reported a large specimen reverting to green, at the back entrance of Beechworth Mental Hospital, Beechworth, Victoria, Australia.
Cultivars 'Lois Hole', raised from a cutting of 'Frosty', has more pronounced white margins.
Accessions North America Dawes Arboretum Newark, Ohio, US. 1 tree, accession number 1981-0131.001.U. parvifolia 'Frosty', Dawes Arboretum Denver Botanic Gardens, US. No details available Holden Arboretum, US. Acc. no. 85–176 J.C. Raulston Arboretum, Raleigh, North Carolina. No accession details on bark label.55 ft U. parvifolia (2019), with no apparent variegation, in the J.C. Raulston Arboretum, labelled 'Frosty' Smith College, US. Acc. no. 23703
Europe Clapton Court, Somerset, UK. TROBI Champion, 7 m high, d.b.h. 14 cm in 2006 Royal Horticultural Society Gardens, Wisley, UK. No details available Sir Harold Hillier Gardens, UK. Acc. no. 1982.0008
Australia Glenormiston College, Glenormiston Road, Glenormiston South, Victoria 3265; 2 trees, 4 m in height (2008)U. parvifolia 'Frosty' in Glenormiston College, Victoria, trusttrees.org.auU. parvifolia 'Frosty' in Glenormiston College, Victoria; vhd.heritagecouncil.vic.gov.au
Nurseries North America
Widely available.
Europe
Widely available.
Australasia
Yamina Rare Plants , Monbulk, Melbourne, Australia.
References