Japanese zelkova (Zelkova serrata)

Japanese zelkova (Zelkova serrata) is a tree that can grow higher than 15m tall and wider than 8 metres wide. In this growing guide we’ll learn the cultivation details and how to plant Japanese zelkova (Zelkova serrata).

This plant has several common names including: Japanese zelkova, keaki, keyaki or saw-leaf zelkova.

This is a deciduous plant that takes 20-50 years to reach full maturity.

Plant profile

Common name: Japanese zelkova, keaki, keyaki, saw-leaf zelkova
Scientific name: Zelkova serrata
Plant type: Trees
Habit: Spreading / Branched
Height: Higher than 15m
Spread: Wider than 8 metres
Foliage: Deciduous
Sunlight: Full Sun, Partial shade
Soil: Chalk, Clay, Loam
Moisture: Moist but well drained, Well drained
Planting type: Low Maintenance
Other characteristics: RHS Award of Garden Merit

Seasonal colors

How to plant Japanese zelkova (Zelkova serrata) – Photo by and (c)2014 Derek Ramsey (Ram-Man), GFDL 1.2, via Wikimedia Commons

Trees are essential plants in gardens, large and small, with their sculptural presence.

In terms of design, they add height, structure and interest all year round with attractive flowers, foliage, fruits and trunks.

In addition, they provide home and a food source for birds and other wildlife.

How to plant

In this section we will learn how to plant Japanese zelkova (Zelkova serrata), know its needs in terms of soil, watering and sun exposure.

Soil

Japanese zelkova (Zelkova serrata) is not a demanding plant regarding the type of soil and can grow in chalk, clay or loam.

• The chalky soil is pale and contains chunks of calcium-rich rock. It is a fertile and well-draining soil, almost always alkaline.

• Clay soil is composed of more than 25 percent clay particles. These particles have a high moisture holding capacity and the soil is heavy to dig and can be waterlogged in winter (dry in summer).

• The loam soil is dark, rich in organic matter but balanced in minerals. It offers the best of all worlds, retaining enough water for the plants, but allowing excess moisture to drain away. This is the most desired type of garden soil, perfect for most plants.

It is not very sensitive to soil acidity or alkalinity and grows well in soils with pH acid, alkaline or neutral.

Regarding drainage, Zelkova serrata likes to grow in moist but well drained or well drained soils.

Sunlight

Japanese zelkova (Zelkova serrata) is a plant that should be grown in full sun or partial shade positions.

Cultivation profiles – Growing Japanese zelkova (Zelkova serrata) – Bruce Marlin, CC BY-SA 2.5, via Wikimedia Commons