Tilia cordataSmall-leaved lime
A deciduous tree with a dense, regular crown, heart-shaped leaves and scented cream flowers in June and July, which has filled the squares and avenues of Europe for centuries. It tolerates pruning, clay soil and urban conditions, and gives a cool, even shade.
- Dense, regular crown that gives cool, even shade
- Scented cream flowers in June and July, much sought after by bees
- Tolerates pruning, clay soils and urban conditions
About this species
Tilia cordata reaches 15 to 25 metres in height and 10 to 15 in spread, with a crown that is conical when young and rounded at maturity. The leaves, heart-shaped and smaller than those of other limes, are dark green above and bluish beneath, and turn yellow in autumn.
In June and July it is covered in small, highly scented cream flowers, attached to a winged bract, which attract bees in great numbers. It is one of the best bee trees in the European garden.
It grows at a medium pace in sun or partial shade, in moist, well-drained loam or clay soils. It withstands cold and wind well, tolerates pollution and formative pruning, and so serves avenues, squares and wide streets. It prefers areas where summers are not too dry and benefits from supplementary watering in the first years.
Advice on this species
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