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Tilia tomentosa 'Petiolaris'
  • RHS AGM

weeping silver lime

'Petiolaris' is a vigorous and elegant large deciduous tree with pendulous branches bearing heart-shaped dark green leaves whitish beneath. Clusters of highly scented yellowish flowers are narcotic to bees

Other common names
pendent silver lime
pendent white lime
see moreweeping lime
Synonyms
Tilia americana 'Pendula'
Tilia tomentosa 'Pendula'
see moreTilia 'Petiolaris'
Tilia petiolaris
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Size
Ultimate height
Higher than 12 metres
Time to ultimate height
20–50 years
Ultimate spread
Wider than 8 metres
Growing conditions
Loam
Chalk
Sand
Clay
Moisture
Moist but well–drained, Well–drained
pH
Alkaline, Neutral
Colour & scent
StemFlowerFoliageFruit
Spring Green
Summer Yellow Green
Autumn Green Green
Winter
Position
  • Full sun
  • Partial shade
Aspect

North–facing or South–facing or West–facing or East–facing

Exposure
Sheltered
Hardiness
H6
Botanical details
Family
Malvaceae
Native to the UK
No
Foliage
Deciduous
Habit
Pendulous weeping
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

Name status

Accepted

How to grow

Cultivation

Easy to grow in most moist soils and will tolerate hard pruning. Is susceptible to aphid infestation and is therefore liable to sticky honeydew. Avoid exposure to cold drying winds. Tilia trees are sometimes associated with large numbers of dead bumblebees. Scientific studies have demonstrated that this is not due to toxic nectar or pollen, but may be due to a complex interaction of weather and suboptimal nectar. It does not usually happen every year and tends to coincide with the natural end of bumblebee nests, so is unlikely to cause any larger scale problems

Propagation

Chip budding is the most appropriate method although care must be taken with the choice of rootstock

Suggested planting locations and garden types
  • Low Maintenance
  • Hedging and screens
Pruning

Pruning group 1

Pests

May be susceptible to aphids, horse chestnut scale, caterpillars, sawflies and gall mites

Diseases

May be susceptible to sooty mould, phytophthora root disease and honey fungus

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