Identification help/comfirmation?

[SailDesign]

Hi, I have a lovely shrub that has been in my rock garden for 20-plus years, and I would love to make a bonsai from another one. Can I remember the species? Nope!
It looks like a Hokkaido Elm, but I'm not certain. Height is about 18" now - excuse the ferns trying to photo-bomb....

Yes, I would love to just dig this up and pot it, but it's too nice just where it is, and totally interwoven,

Pics hopefully attached

 

[vesper818]

Yes, it does look like a hokkaido elm. Can you take cuttings or air layer?

 

[SailDesign]

Yes, it does look like a hokkaido elm. Can you take cuttings or air layer?

Thanks, Yes, and "Maybe" - in that order.

Never tried layering, but there's a first time for everything.

In the meantime, if I find one on a shelf somewhere, I'll grab it.

Thanks again!

 

[rockm]

It’s an elm. It will air layer pretty easily

It s”Hokkaido” given the density of leaves. Could also be a “Seiju” too. Both have tiny leaves.

 

[SailDesign]

It’s an elm. It will air layer pretty easily

It s”Hokkaido” given the density of leaves. Could also be a “Seiju” too. Both have tiny leaves.

Thanks.

 

[Shibui]

Almost certainly Hokkaido. from leaf and growth habit. I suspect Seiju would have grown way bigger.
Hokkaido is very brittle. Branches break off with very little pressure so it's not all that easy to develop good bonsai with that cultivar.
Not for sale very often so good luck with finding another one.
As previously mentioned, cuttings strike quite easily but are slow to grow and develop. layering may be tricky because the branches break so easily. Root cuttings are also quite easy to make new plants.