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Tilia cordata Greenspire - Lime

Tilia cordata Greenspire
Small-leaved Lime, Littleleaf Linden

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The tree is a good size, taller than it is wide, and I hope it will fill out and gain a bit of strength.

CAT, 09/09/2024

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This plant carries a 24 months recovery warranty

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A shade tree with moderate growth, more suitable for our medium-sized gardens. This rapidly growing American selection is also distinguished by its initially pyramidal crown, which becomes ovoid with age. Its fragrant and honey-producing flowering in June adorns deciduous heart-shaped foliage that reveals a beautiful glaucous underside. It is not susceptible to aphid attacks, undemanding in terms of soil if it remains moist, and tolerant of urban pollution.
Flower size
1 cm
Height at maturity
16 m
Spread at maturity
12 m
Exposure
Sun, Partial shade
Hardiness
Hardy down to -29°C
Soil moisture
Dry soil, Moist soil
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Best planting time October to November
Recommended planting time January to March, October to December
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Flowering time June to July
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Description

Tilia cordata 'Greenspire', an American selection of small-leaved linden, is a shade tree with moderate development and rapid growth. It is less demanding than the species and better suited to our medium-sized gardens. The other advantages of this variety are a well-regulated, generally pyramidal crown, beautiful crevassed bark, a fragrant and honey-bearing flowering in early summer, and ornamental glossy foliage, which is heart-shaped with a glaucous underside. This linden is also less prone to aphid attacks, which limits its maintenance. It is valued for its accommodating nature: this tree is undemanding regarding soil as long as it remains moist, and it tolerates both sea spray and urban pollution. 

 

Tilia cordata (synonym Tilia parviflora) belongs to the Malvaceae family. It is native to European forests. It is a deciduous tree with a wide crown, capable of exceeding 30m (98ft) in height. It grows in moist, deep, fertile, acidic to neutral soil. Its longevity is excellent.

The cultivar 'Greenspire', selected in New Jersey (USA) in 1961, distinguishes itself by less significant development, a narrower crown, slightly larger leaves, and its ease of cultivation in less favourable conditions. The growth of this tree is rapid; it will reach maturity with an average height of 16m (52ft) and a spread of 12m (39ft). When young, it has a narrow pyramidal habit, then it widens to form a well-branched ovoid crown on top of a rather short trunk: its branches show rather ascending development. The bark, when mature, is dark brown and channelled, while the young twigs are smooth and green to reddish-brown. Its entire, alternate leaves, 7 to 12cm (3 to 5in) long, are rounded, heart-shaped at the base, and finely toothed at the edges. The lamina is shiny green on the upper side, with a downy glaucous underside adorned with reddish hairs. The leaves turn golden yellow in autumn and fall quite early in the season. The flowering takes place in early summer, in June-July. Numerous small white-yellowish flowers are gathered in pendulous corymbs, in groups of 15 to 20, and attached to the twigs by a long petiole. The flowers are remarkably fragrant and popular with bees. They are followed by small globular grey and smooth fruits attached to a wing called a samara.

 

'Greenspire' can be planted as a fast-growing standalone shade tree. It is easy to cultivate in many regions. Place it near the entrance of a well-maintained garden, accompanied by evergreen shrubs like the elegant Taxus x media 'Densiformis' or other dwarf conifers. In a more rustic spirit, you can plant it with the Persian Parrotia or x Sycoparrotia, similar but with semi-evergreen foliage, interesting for their autumn colours. Use it for example in a large bed, accompanied by maples (Acer campestre, A. griseum, A. monspessulanum), the Quince tree, Pseudocydonia sinensis, and Winged Euonymus (Euonymus alatus) to create a vibrant grove from September to November. Its flowers are an important source of nectar, valuable to those who raise bees. A Japanese Medlar, flowering in October-November with a scent of bitter almond, will also have this nourishing role in a scented garden.

Tilia cordata Greenspire - Lime in pictures

Tilia cordata Greenspire - Lime (Foliage) Foliage
Tilia cordata Greenspire - Lime (Plant habit) Plant habit

Plant habit

Height at maturity 16 m
Spread at maturity 12 m
Habit conical, pyramidal
Growth rate fast

Flowering

Flower colour white
Flowering time June to July
Inflorescence Corymb
Flower size 1 cm
Fragrance Very fragrant, Sweet, gentle, honey-like fragrance, slightly lemony.
Bee-friendly Attracts pollinators
Flowering description Remarkably melliferous flowering.
Fruit colour green

Foliage

Foliage persistence Deciduous
Foliage colour green

Botanical data

Genus

Tilia

Species

cordata

Cultivar

Greenspire

Family

Tiliaceae

Other common names

Small-leaved Lime, Littleleaf Linden

Origin

Central Europe

Product reference843651

Other Tilia - Linden

16
€89.00 7.5L/10L pot
Available to order
€5.50 Bare root

Available in 2 sizes

Available to order
€89.00 Bare root

Available in 2 sizes

Available to order
€109.00 7.5L/10L pot

Planting and care

Plant in autumn or spring. It is hardy and not very demanding in terms of soil. It tolerates wind and sea spray quite well. It requires a sunny exposure or, at worst, semi-shaded. It dreads overly dry soils, but tolerates both acidic and calcareous soils, although not too poor. A deep, fertile, and moist soil, well loosened, will ensure optimal growth. During the first few years, practice training pruning by removing lower branches to allow for easy movement under the tree.

Planting period

Best planting time October to November
Recommended planting time January to March, October to December

Intended location

Suitable for Meadow
Type of use Border, Free-standing
Hardiness Hardy down to -29°C (USDA zone 5) Show map
Ease of cultivation Amateur
Planting density 1 per m2
Exposure Sun, Partial shade
Soil pH Any
Soil type Clayey (heavy), Clayey-chalky (heavy and alkaline), Silty-loamy (rich and light), Stony (poor and well-drained)
Soil moisture Dry soil, Moist soil, Deep, flexible, fertile.

Care

Pruning instructions During the first few years, carry out training pruning by removing branches located near the base of the trunk. Pruning is preferably done in late winter, outside the freezing period.
Pruning Pruning recommended once a year
Pruning time March
Soil moisture Dry soil, Moist soil
Disease resistance Good
Overwinter Can be left in the ground
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