Ulmus ‘San Zanobi’

Ulmus ‘San Zanobi’ is a highly resilient, fastigiate elm cultivar that’s part of the Resista® Elms range, developed for complete resistance to Dutch Elm Disease (DED). Bred from a cross between Ulmus ‘Plantyn’ and Ulmus pumila, it was officially released for commercial use in 2002 and named after Saint Zenobius of Florence. According to legend, an elm tree miraculously revived as his funeral procession passed by, making this tree’s symbolic name particularly fitting.

With its upright, columnar to pyramidal form, Ulmus ‘San Zanobi’ is especially well-suited for urban streetscapes, boulevards, and narrow spaces. It is often considered a refined alternative to Ulmus ‘Columella’ in scenarios where lighter canopy coverage and less shade are preferred.

The foliage is broad, lanceolate, and strikingly glossy. In spring, leaves emerge a fresh light green, darkening into a rich green by midsummer. While autumn colour is generally muted, the tree retains its foliage well into late autumn, offering visual structure longer than many other urban trees.

Like all trees in the Resista Elms collection, Ulmus ‘San Zanobi’ is exclusively grown under licence by Hillier and is microchipped for traceability and authenticity. It is highly tolerant of urban stressors, including drought, poor soils, pollution, and compacted root zones, making it a reliable option for city planners and developers.