Tilia Cordata - Small Leaved Lime

Tilia cordata, commonly known as Small Leaved Lime, is one of the most beautiful British native trees, valued for its impressive shape, strongly scented flowers, and elegant foliage. Historically predominant in English woodlands until the Saxon period, it is now more often planted to replace trees lost to Dutch Elm disease.

Much superior to the more commonly planted non-native Tilia × europaea, the Small Leaved Lime has a shape reminiscent of the English Elm and provides ornamental, ecological, and cultural value.

Pleached Lime hedges and street trees should be pruned in winter. Light maintenance can be done to tidy damaged branches, but hard pruning is not required.

This is the size and type we sell:

Tilia cordata Small Leaved Lime 20–50cm Cell Grown

Tilia cordata Small Leaved Lime 40–60cm 1+1

Tilia cordata Small Leaved Lime 40–60cm 1u1

Professionally grown and suitable for woodland, parks, avenues, gardens, and street-side planting.

Features & Benefits

Native British tree with upright, elegant form

Strongly scented pale yellow flowers in midsummer

Heart-shaped leaves (8cm), turning yellow in autumn

Tolerant of sun and shade; especially good on chalky soils and in towns

Timber prized for carving; bark used for matting, baskets, and nets

Flowers used medicinally and for Lime-flower (Linden) Tea

Attracts bees and a variety of insects

Applications

Woodland, parks, and large gardens

Street-side planting and avenues

Pleached hedges

Wildlife-friendly planting and ornamental projects

Height & Spread (Approximate)

After 10 years: 6m height x 4m spread

After 20 years: 12m height x 6m spread

Growth assumes suitable site conditions.

Botanical Name | Tilia cordata

Common Name | Small Leaved Lime

Plant Type | Deciduous tree

Growth Rate | Moderate

Mature Height | Up to 20m

Mature Spread | Up to 12m

Soil Type | Well-drained, fertile soils; tolerant of chalky soils

Aspect | Full sun to partial shade

Hardiness | Fully hardy in the UK; tolerates urban conditions

Plant Size & Type | 20–50cm Cell Grown; 40–60cm 1+1; 40–60cm 1u1

Maintenance | Pleached hedges and street trees pruned in winter; tidy damaged branches as required

Wildlife Value | Flowers attract bees; Lime-flower honey highly valued; supports a range of insects