Tilia
Lime, Linden, Basswood
- Height × spread
- 4m – 30m × 2m – 20m
- Position
- Full sun
Availability
Please ask in store about availability
Many plants are seasonal. Call 01234 567890 to check current stock.
About this plant
This genus contains 45 species of lime, all of which are deciduous. These trees grow over large parts of world from North America and Europe to Eastern Asia. Many of them make handsome and upstanding specimens, superb in the silhouette of winter, lovely in summer with their shiny leaves. Some forms are valued for their ornamental qualities such as the pendent white lime Tilia 'Petiolaris' with leaves that are white on the underside and which attractively move in the breeze. A number of forms are used for avenues such as Tilia platyphyllos and its many forms, these trees form suckers round the base so an aged specimen sits on a domed base of trimmed wood. Other forms with clean bark are used as street trees, grown for their appealing shapes, including Tilia cordata and its forms such as 'Greenspire', 'Rancho' and 'van Pelt'. There are other forms with exceptionally beautiful leaves such as Tilia henryana which has heart-shaped leaves with spiky-looking edges, bronze when young, and Tilia mongolica which has dark green, very shiny smooth leaves with forward pointing lobes. Tilia x europaea 'Wratislaviensis' is yellow in spring and Tilia cordata 'Winter Orange' has orange twigs, a striking feature in winter.
- Flower colour
- Cream, White, Yellow
- Foliage colour
- Blue, Green, Grey, White
- Fruit colour
- Grey
- Variegated
- No
- Scent
- Yes, some varieties
- Shape
- Bell, Column, Cone, Oval
- Height
- 4m – 30m
- Spread
- 2m – 20m
- Season of interest
- Spring, Summer, Autumn, Winter
- Evergreen
- Deciduous
- Garden style
- Winter garden, Seaside garden, Scented garden, Exotic garden
- Sun or shade
- Likes full sun, likes part shade
- Soil type
- Clay, Loam (normal), Sandy soil
- Soil pH
- All types
- Drainage
- Moisture retentive soil, Well drained soil
- Winter hardiness
- Varies, some are not hardy
- Borders & containers
- Borders
- Use for
- Screening, Structural, Architectural, Bee attraction
- Hazards
- No
Spring
Spring - late · Outdoors
Feed young plants with slow release fertiliser
Spread a slow release fertiliser around the base of the plant to the edge of the foliage spread, so that it can feed the roots. It is helpful for this to be applied for several years.
This is a simple way to provide a nutrient boost until the plant becomes well established.
Spring-Autumn · Outdoors
Water to keep the soil moist
For best results, this plant needs soil that is always moist. Water deeply and regularly as soon as soil appears dry. Even for established plants in the ground, a dry week can cause problems with some soils. Check plants in pots more often, especially in hot weather. Or install an automatic irrigation system which will do the hard work for you, even when you are away on holiday.
Without regular watering some plants never fully regain their beauty.
Planting & general
Planting
Prune some varieties
Some plants within this genus have additional requirements for pruning. It is best to look up your specific plant, or the species it belongs to for pruning guidance.
Planting
Protect & support young trees
Attach a newly planted tree or tall shrub over 1m to a tree stake to give support and prevent windrock. Use a tree guard to stop tree bark being eaten by animals, especially in areas with deer - removing bark injures a tree and in worst case can kill it.
Found in
More Tilia
Tilia 'Chelsea Sentinel'
Lime, Linden, Basswood
Tilia caroliniana subsp. heterophylla
White basswood, Beetree linden
Tilia cordata
Small leaved lime, Littleleaf linden
Tilia cordata 'Greenspire'
Small-leaved lime, Littleleaf linden
Tilia cordata 'Winter Orange'
Small leaved lime, Littleleaf linden
Tilia henryana
Henry's lime
Tilia mongolica
Mongolian lime, Mongolian linden
Tilia oliveri
Oliver's lime