'Helena' is a medium to large tree with a broad columnar to later oval crown that grows 15-25 tall. The young, brown-green, twigs are hairy and the old bark is dark grey and slightly grooved. The leaves are like those of the species U. laevis; inversely ovate and slightly glossy dark green. In autumn, it turns a beautiful yellow. The red blooms occur before the leaves sprout, so the small flowers are still somewhat conspicuous.
'Helena' grew from seed harvested from trees of U. laevis in an avenue in Eibergen. One of the seedlings stood out in 2007 for its uniform growth, was selected and introduced seven years later as 'Helena'. Although U. laevis is not completely resistant to Dutch elm disease, infections are rare in nature. In addition, 'Helena' is less susceptible to aphid infestations than other elms. The tree tolerates (sea) wind, temporarily very wet soil but also temporary drought.
Ulmus laevis 'Helena' môže dorastať do výšky 18-22 m, fast growing v závislosti od podmienok stanovišťa a klímy.
Ulmus laevis 'Helena' rastie rýchlo rastúci a môže dorastať do výšky 18-22 m, fast growing v závislosti od podmienok stanovišťa a klímy.
Listy stromu Ulmus laevis 'Helena' sa na jeseň sfarbia do žltá."
Správny čas na výsadbu stromu je mimo vegetačné obdobie. V strednej Európe môže byť Ulmus laevis 'Helena' so zemným balom vysadený od polovice novembra do konca apríla, avšak závisí to veľmi od klimatických podmienok a druhu stromu.