Small Leaved Lime Bare Root - Tilia Cordata

The Small-leaved Lime is a majestic British native tree that combines elegance with exceptional wildlife value. In summer, the tree becomes alive with the hum of countless bees visiting its fragrant, honey-scented flowers – a truly magical experience. With attractive heart-shaped leaves, graceful habit, and tolerance of urban conditions, this lime is perfect for medium to large gardens, parkland, or street planting. Unlike its larger cousin, the Common Lime, it doesn't suffer from aphid honeydew problems, making it a far superior choice for gardens.

Key Features

• Height & Spread: Reaches 20-30 metres tall with a spread of 15-20 metres at maturity
• Hardiness: Fully hardy (RHS H7) – tolerates temperatures below -20°C
• Soil: Adaptable to most soil types including clay and chalk
• Aspect: Prefers full sun to partial shade
• Growth Rate: Moderate (30-40cm per year once established)

What to Expect

Spring & Summer Heart-shaped, fresh green leaves emerge in spring, creating a dense canopy. In June and July, clusters of small, pale yellow flowers appear, filling the air with an intoxicating sweet fragrance. The nectar-rich blooms attract bees in abundance – standing beneath a flowering lime on a warm day is an unforgettable sensory experience.

Autumn Beauty The foliage turns a beautiful golden-yellow in autumn before falling, creating a carpet of colour beneath the tree.

Winter Structure Once the leaves drop, the smooth grey bark and elegant, symmetrical branching structure provide architectural interest throughout winter.

Ideal Uses

• Specimen tree for medium to large gardens
• Avenue planting – creates stunning tree-lined drives
• Parkland and public spaces
• Wildlife gardens – exceptional for pollinators
• Traditional pleaching – can be trained along horizontal frameworks
• Urban environments – tolerates pollution well
• Shade tree for livestock in paddocks

Wildlife Benefits

Small-leaved Lime is a wildlife magnet:

• Bees and pollinators: The flowers are one of the best nectar sources, supporting honeybees, bumblebees, and countless other insects

• Caterpillars: The leaves feed numerous moth caterpillar species

• Birds: Dense foliage provides nesting sites; seeds feed birds in winter

• Aphids and their predators: Supports a food chain of beneficial insects

This is considered one of the top trees for biodiversity in British gardens.

Planting & Care

Planting Your Bare Root Plant between November and March during dormancy. Soak roots thoroughly in water for 3-4 hours before planting. Dig a hole 2-3 times the width of the root system but no deeper than the roots themselves. Position so the soil mark on the stem sits at ground level. Backfill with excavated soil mixed with well-rotted compost, firm in well, and water generously.

Staking Use a sturdy stake and tree tie for the first 2-3 years to support establishment. Position the stake at an angle to avoid damaging roots.

Initial Care

• Water regularly and deeply during the first two growing seasons

• Apply a generous mulch around the base (keeping it clear of the trunk)

• Use a rabbit guard or tree guard if wildlife browsing is a concern

• Remove competing weeds and grass from around the base

Long-term Maintenance

• Once established, Small-leaved Lime requires minimal care

• Remove any dead, damaged, or crossing branches in winter

• Can be pollarded or pleached if a restricted form is desired

• Generally pest and disease-free

Growing Conditions

Soil Requirements Highly adaptable, growing well in clay, loam, chalk, and sandy soils. Prefers moist but well-drained conditions. Tolerates some drought once established but grows best with adequate moisture.

Position Full sun produces the best shape and most prolific flowering, though partial shade is tolerated. Avoid very exposed, windswept positions for young trees.

Space Requirements This is a large tree requiring adequate space. Plant at least 10-12 metres from buildings and consider the mature spread when positioning. The roots are generally non-invasive but avoid planting too close to drains.

Why Choose Small-leaved Lime?

If you have space for a substantial tree, Small-leaved Lime offers unmatched rewards. The fragrant summer flowers create a garden experience like no other, whilst the wildlife benefits are extraordinary. Unlike Common Lime (Tilia × europaea), this species doesn't produce the sticky aphid honeydew that can plague cars and garden furniture beneath.

This is a tree with heritage – Small-leaved Lime has been part of the British landscape for thousands of years and was a major component of our ancient wildwood. You're not just planting a tree; you're creating a legacy for future generations and providing a haven for wildlife.

The elegant form makes it equally suitable for formal avenues or naturalistic planting, whilst its tolerance of urban pollution and compacted soil makes it reliable in challenging conditions.

Perfect for: Large gardens, parkland, wildlife enthusiasts, bee-keepers, avenue planting, traditional landscapes, and gardeners seeking a magnificent native tree with exceptional ecological value.

British Native: Supports native wildlife and connects your garden to Britain's natural heritage.