Fiorente

HYBRID CULTIVAR

U. minor × U. pumila

ORIGIN

Istituto per la Protezione delle Piante, Italy; released 2012

DESCRIPTION

‘Fiorente’ was originally raised and patented by IPP Italy as a hardwood timber source, owing to its predominant single stem and very rapid growth, approaching 2m per annum (the name translates as ‘flourishing’). However, it is also widely held to be the most attractive cultivar on the European market. ‘Fiorente’ can be badly defoliated if heavily infected, but usually recovers very well the following year. Moreover, it adapts extremely well to most types of ground, from arid rendzinas on chalk to winter-waterlogged alluvial soils along rivers. The leaves are < 8 cm long × < 5 cm wide; generally lanceolate in shape, remaining green well into winter. NB The Forestry Commission South-East Beat planted 100 at Woodend, near Wickham, Hants., to commemorate its centenary in 2019.

PERFORMANCE

Stability

Resistance to exposure

Resemblance to native elm

Suitability for street planting

Rate of growth

Tolerance of waterlogging

Tolerance of drought