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Tilia cordata

small-leaved lime

© RHS 2002
Sold by 42 nurseries

  • Other common names small-leaved lime
    little-leaf linden

  • Synonyms Tilia parvifolia

  • Family Malvaceae

  • Genus Tilia are deciduous trees with broadly ovate or heart-shaped leaves and pendulous clusters of fragrant yellow-green flowers, followed by conspicuous winged fruits

  • Details T. cordata is a medium-sized deciduous tree with a spreading or rounded crown, and glossy dark green, heart-shaped leaves to 8cm in length, turning yellow in autumn. Small, fragrant creamy-white flowers are borne in spreading clusters in summer

  • Plant range Europe, SW Asia

Characteristics

  • Foliage Deciduous

  • Habit Spreading / Branched

  • Fragrance Flower

  • Hardiness

    Hardiness ratings

    All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

    • H1a - Under glass all year (>15C)
    • H1b - Can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
    • H1c - Can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
    • H2 - Tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
    • H3 - Hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
    • H4 - Hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
    • H5 - Hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
    • H6 - Hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
    • H7 - Hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20)

    H6

Colour

Sunlight

  • Full Sun

  • Partial Shade

  • Aspect South-facing or North-facing or West-facing or East-facing

  • Exposure Sheltered

Soil

  • Sand

    Sand

  • Chalk

    Chalk

  • Clay

    Clay

  • MoistureMoist but well-drained, Well-drained

  • SoilSand, Chalk, Clay

  • pHNeutral, Alkaline

Size

  • Ultimate height Higher than 12 metres

  • Ultimate spread wider than 8 metres

  • Time to ultimate height 20-50 years

How to grow

Cultivation Grow as free standing specimens or as avenue trees. The flowers attract bees. Avoid growing in very dry conditions or exposure to very strong winds

Propagation Propagate by seed

Suggested planting locations and garden types Hedging & Screens Low Maintenance Wildlife Gardens

How to care

Pruning Pruning group 1

Pests Aphids, horse chestnut scale, caterpillars, sawflies and gall mites may be a problem

Diseases May be affected by phytophthora root diseases

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