Tilia Species, Plant Profile and Growing Hints
Tilia are a useful group of small trees often referred to as ‘Lime Trees’ and also as the ‘Linden Tree’. A number of different species with different characteristics are available for sale in Australia. With around 40 species only a few are widely used in cultivation.
They are useful for their hardiness and tolerance of a range of soil conditions. Very popular as street trees and for use in small parks and gardens where they provide good shade as they mature. All require a deep fertile soil with some moisture, however they are tolerant of poorer soils as long as moisture is available. Best in full sun although light shade for part of the day will also work.
Foliage is a deep green with yellow tones in autumn. Best in temperate regions and also best in good deep soil. Long lived, upright with a broad spreading crown the neat growth habit suits street plantings.
Tillia can be underplanted with early spring flower bulbs. Depending on the species and cultivar they can reach to 20m in height, some lower than this.
Tilia cordata
Also known as the Linden and ‘Small leafed Lime’, Tilia cordata is a useful shade tree well suited to larger gardens, parks and for street use.
Reaching a height of around 15m in ideal conditions Tilia cordata can be even taller. This is a deciduous tree with dark green foliage that turns to a buttery yellow in autumn. Smaller leaves than some other Tilliashence the common name.
A few forms are available some with a more upright habit than others.
Tilia henreyana
Useful as a shade tree or ornamental Tilia henryana is a large tree with white fragrant flowers in spring and very large leaves. originally from China this is mainly grown as a shade tree with the added attraction of good foliage colour.
The leaves emerge a pink silvery bronze, and turn to an attractive green, and in late summer a second flush of growth emerges, this is a silver colour when new and the green of the mature foliage and the silvery new growth are most attractive.
Slow growing and best suited to a position protected from the wind Tilia henryana will eventually reach a height of of over 15m and up to 25m in the right conditions.
Also known as Henrys Lime or the Henry Lime, remember that new growth is a little frost tender. The foliage is ovate (egg shaped) with fine bristles on the edge.
Tilia kiusiana
From the southern part of Japan, Tilia kiusiana has proved its value as a small growing shade tree. It is slow growing however over time forms a good dense crown. Autumn colour is an added attraction with foliage turning a buttery yellow before dropping.
One of the smaller growing species is Tilia kiusiana, reaching a height of around 8 – 10 m, this is a rare slow growing species from southern Japan.
White flowers in summer, a nice rounded crown and growing well in full sun to part shade, a lovely smaller garden tree.
This is not a tree that is widely available in Australia however a few specialist growers do carry them in a variety of pot sizes.
Tilia x europaea
A natural hybrid Tilia x europaea is widely used as a street tree, also well suited for use in parks and larger gardens.
Rounded lime green heart shaped leaves, creamy white flowers that attract bees and a hardy nature make this a useful tree for a range of situations.
Also known as ‘Linden Tree’ and ‘Kaiser Tree’ it is widely grown throughout Europe as well as Australia. Regarded as tolerant of air pollution as well as being an attractive street tree it also attracts bees when in flower.
Reaching around 25m in height depending on conditions Tilia x europaea is not suited for planting in small spaces or underneath power lines. Deciduous, frost tolerant and good in windy conditions it does make a good shade tree for larger gardens, parks and broader landscaping situations.
With good autumn colour as the foliage turns from green to orange and yellow, Tilia x europaea was widely planted in gardens across Victoria and New South Wales in the early 1900s by landscapers including William Guilfoyle. Many are still in excellent condition 100 years later.
Other Tilia varieties include:
- T. tomentosa
- T. petiolaris
WHOLESALE Tilia NURSERIES
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