Why Plant City Sprite® Japanese Zelkova?
Honey, I shrunk the Zelkova! City Sprite® is a much-reduced version of the elegant Japanese shade tree. The result is an adorable lollipop-shaped accent tree that fits into many landscapes where the original would loom too large. It grows quickly, making a sizable canopy in no time, and the growth is dense and compact! What’s more, although City Sprite® is cute as a button, it’s also tough as nails. Heat and humidity, frigid winters (to -20°F), wind, de-icing salts, dry soils, compacted soils, alkaline soils, and air pollution are no problem for this tough, streetwise tree!
The Japanese Zelkova is a stately forest tree native to Japan, Korea, Taiwan, and northeast China. It belongs to the Elm family and has a similar leaf and vase-like habit. Many arborists even recommend Zelkova as a replacement for the American Elm, because it offers a similar look and is resistant to Dutch Elm disease. City Sprite® was discovered by Keith Warren of J. Frank Schmidt Nursery in Boring, Oregon, in 2001. Warren examined thousands of Zelkova seedlings, looking for something different. Even as a young seedling, City Sprite® stood out from the rest with its compressed growth habit, and he knew he had something special. He patented it in 2008.
How to use City Sprite® Japanese Zelkova in the landscape?
For many, the City Sprite® Japanese Zelkova would be worthy of a place in the landscape by virtue of its compact size and its toughness alone. However, this charmer has another great feature: awesome fall color! When the days turn cool and crisp, City Sprite’s bright green foliage becomes a wonderful, luminous yellow. Use this tree to line your driveway or as a small specimen piece to decorate your yard.
Planting Zones
Hardiness Zones: 5-8
How To Plant City Sprite® Japanese Zelkova
City Sprite® Japanese Zelkova is an easy-to-please tree that all gardeners will succeed with, provided its few simple needs are met. Plant this tree in a sunny location, as shade will cause it to lose its nice, tight habit. It isn’t picky about soil, but it doesn’t like “wet feet”—excess water must drain away after a rain. It will be relatively drought tolerant in subsequent years. Pests and diseases are of no concern.
How To Water
They require keeping the soil moist (not too wet) after initial planting and during the establishment period to help your tree develop a strong root system. Once established, they are more tolerant of drought conditions, reducing your hand-watering responsibilities.
How To Fertilize
During fall, feed your Zelkova Bower & Branch Elements Fertilizer once a year for about the first 3 or 4 years - this will give your tree all the nutrients it needs.
How To Prune
Pruning will seldom be necessary, but it is, they should be pruned so that dead branches and twigs that may be diseased can be removed. Do not compost any disease branches, dispose of them appropriately in the garbage.
How Does Shipping Work?
Bower & Branch Trees, the real BIG trees, don’t fit in a box! Our big trees, sizes XL and bigger, require expert delivery and care, that means our extra-large trees are shipped on Bower & Branch trucks. We are the only ones who know how to ship our big and bigger trees and plants with tender loving care. We deliver your trees and plants directly to you. Ask Bower & Branch about planting services – we'd be happy to assist in installation.
*For Big trees and Shrubs, Size XL and bigger: Review our Seasonal Shipping Timelines and Policy here.
Your trees and plants are grown across the United States at various Bower & Branch Growers. Depending on your location, your plant orders may be shipped from various locations. Please expect orders with multiple items to be delivered over a number of days as a result. Orders made up of numerous items or selections will not arrive at your home on the same day.
Shipping Delays:
From time to time, Bower & Branch Growers may determine to delay order shipment based on various factors for plant health. Weather in your region, as well as, where your plants are grown, is always considered when shipping. Extreme weather conditions may delay some or all of your order. Bower & Branch allows our Growers to make final shipping decisions based solely to benefit your trees and plants’ health and success.
How Does Sizing Work?
The size of our trees have nothing to do with the container size like you may find elsewhere–big doesn't mean just height - it’s also vigor, age, and overall health. Other online retailers are going to tell you that a plant is a seven gallon, that means nothing to your tree or plant (or you.)
Our trees for sale online are graded on large, x-large, and even bigger sizes. This is because our trees are sized by their age—the higher the letter, the more mature the tree. The age determines the trees’ overall height, size of the trunk and the overall branch density.
All of these characteristics are what you should be looking for when choosing a tree for immediate impact and instant curb appeal. Our extra-large tree and plant sizes are sure to wow you and your neighbors!
See the size guides below.
