{"product_id":"ulmus-frontier","title":"Ulmus 'Frontier'","description":"\u003ch2\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFrontier Elm\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBotanical Name:\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003cem\u003eUlmus\u003c\/em\u003e 'Frontier'\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFamily:\u003c\/strong\u003e Ulmaceae\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOrigin:\u003c\/strong\u003e Hybrid cultivar; bred at the US National Arboretum, Washington D.C., 1971 (Ulmus minor × Ulmus parvifolia)\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePlant Type:\u003c\/strong\u003e Deciduous shade tree \/ street tree\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOverview\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eUlmus 'Frontier' is a disease-resistant hybrid elm celebrated for its outstanding autumn colour, commanding size, and exceptional durability in warm Australian conditions. Its glossy green canopy transforms each April and May into a vivid burgundy-red spectacle — a display rarely matched by other deciduous trees in South Australia's Mediterranean climate. Combining the Field Elm's toughness with the Chinese Elm's refined foliage and elegant form, 'Frontier' is an outstanding long-lived shade and amenity tree for large gardens, parks, streetscapes, and civic landscapes.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eKey Features\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMature Size:\u003c\/strong\u003e 12 m H × 9 m W\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eGrowth Rate:\u003c\/strong\u003e Fast; 40–60 cm per year; develops an upright vase-shaped habit broadening with age, with a strong self-branching structure and good wind resistance\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFoliage:\u003c\/strong\u003e Small, glossy dark green leaves with neatly serrated margins; fine-textured canopy providing dense summer shade; autumn colour is an outstanding vivid burgundy-red, unusually deep and rich for an elm\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFlowers:\u003c\/strong\u003e Tiny reddish-green clustered flowers appearing in late summer to early autumn; non-fragrant; not ornamentally significant; rarely produces samaras (seed pods), making this a noticeably cleaner choice than most other elm species\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSeasonal Interest:\u003c\/strong\u003e Stunning burgundy-red autumn display (April–May in SA); attractive mottled grey-brown bark visible through bare winter branches; fresh bright green leaf flush in September–October\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWildlife Value:\u003c\/strong\u003e Large deciduous canopy provides nesting and shelter habitat for small birds; minimal fruit and seed production limits seed-foraging wildlife; spring leaf emergence supports insect communities\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTolerance:\u003c\/strong\u003e Drought-tolerant once established; frost hardy to approximately −15 °C; heat-tolerant through Adelaide summers; wind-tolerant with structurally strong timber; clay-tolerant; excellent resistance to Dutch elm disease\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePlanting Density:\u003c\/strong\u003e Avenue or streetscape planting: space 6–8 m apart centre to centre for a linked canopy effect at maturity; grouped specimens in parks or large gardens: allow 10–12 m clearance from structures, utilities, and other trees\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePet Friendly:\u003c\/strong\u003e Non-toxic to dogs and cats; Ulmaceae is not listed as harmful by ASPCA or standard veterinary toxicology guides; minimal fruiting further reduces any ingestion risk\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhere It Works Best\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSunlight:\u003c\/strong\u003e Full sun preferred for best growth rate and autumn colour intensity; tolerates part shade but canopy density and colour depth are reduced\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSoil:\u003c\/strong\u003e Adaptable to clay, loam, and sandy loam; prefers moderately fertile, well-drained to moisture-retentive soils; avoid prolonged waterlogging; performs well in Adelaide's often alkaline clay and loam soils\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWater Needs:\u003c\/strong\u003e Establishment (first 2 years): deep water 2–3 times per week through summer, reducing to once per week in autumn and winter. Established: weekly deep watering in summer; natural rainfall typically sufficient in winter across most SA regions\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMaintenance:\u003c\/strong\u003e Very low; prune for structure in late winter while fully dormant; fallen autumn leaves can be composted or used as mulch; no regular fertilising required in moderately fertile soils\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eLifespan:\u003c\/strong\u003e 100+ years; a genuinely long-lived landscape investment\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eClimate Zones:\u003c\/strong\u003e Excellently suited to Adelaide's Mediterranean climate (temperate, warm-dry summers, mild-wet winters); performs outstandingly in the Adelaide Hills where cooler winters intensify the autumn colour; highly suitable for Murray Mallee and Riverland conditions due to heat and drought tolerance; moderate coastal tolerance for metropolitan Adelaide suburbs\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSoil pH:\u003c\/strong\u003e Adaptable; tolerates pH 5.5–8.0 (acid through to alkaline), including Adelaide's characteristically alkaline soils\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLandscape \u0026amp; Design Ideas\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePlant as an avenue tree along long driveways, boulevards, or street frontages spaced 6–8 m apart — at maturity the interlocking canopy creates a spectacular burgundy-red tunnel each autumn\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eUse as a single large specimen shade tree in parks, school grounds, council reserves, and acreage properties; the deciduous habit allows winter sun to warm outdoor living areas and terraces while delivering dense shade in summer\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eUnderplant with spring bulbs such as Daffodils or Bluebells, or shade-tolerant groundcovers like Liriope or Hellebores, to extend the seasonal interest beneath the canopy throughout the year\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhy You Will Love It\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eUlmus 'Frontier' delivers the kind of autumn spectacle most South Australians assume requires a cool-climate garden — yet it thrives through Adelaide's hot, dry summers with minimal fuss. Disease-resistant, virtually seedless, structurally strong, and breathtakingly colourful each April and May, it is simply one of the finest deciduous shade trees available to South Australian gardeners. Plant it once, and it will reward every generation that follows.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Adelaide Plant Co","offers":[{"title":"100L Grow Bag","offer_id":68039641628924,"sku":"ULMU-FRON-100L-SO","price":585.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0750\/9282\/0220\/files\/ulmus-frontier-elm-100L-pot-adelaide-plant-co.jpg?v=1793701488","url":"https:\/\/adelaideplantco.com.au\/products\/ulmus-frontier","provider":"Adelaide Plant Co","version":"1.0","type":"link"}