Small-Leaved Lime Tree Bare Root Plant (Tilia cordata)

Name: Small-Leaved Lime Tree Bare Root Plant (Tilia cordata)
SKU: HHG-BR-LIME
Price: 8.95 GBP
Availability: InStock

£8.95

A stately native tree loved by honeybees.

Small-leaved lime is one of Britain's historic native trees, with heart-shaped leaves and clusters of sweetly fragrant pale yellow blossom in midsummer. The flowers are traditionally gathered for calming linden tea.

Flowers: July
Harvest: Linden blossom in summer
Wildlife: Exceptional for honeybees and pollinators
Supplied as: a single field-grown bare root plant

Seasonal shipping notice
Bare root plants are despatched only in the dormant season, November to February, so they arrive asleep and establish strongly in spring.

Small-leaved lime is also part of our Native Heal Foragers Hedge – Living Hedgerow Collection.

Botanical name: Tilia cordata

Common name: Small-Leaved Lime, Linden

Life cycle: Deciduous native tree

Height: Can reach 20m+; can be pleached or kept smaller with pruning

Spread: Up to 10m if unpruned

Flowers: Fragrant pale yellow, July

Position: Full sun or partial shade

Soil: Most fertile, moist but well-drained soils

Hardiness: Fully hardy

Suitable for containers: Not suitable long term

Suitable for beginners: Yes

Pollinator value: Exceptional – one of the best trees for honeybees

Planting

Location: Sun or partial shade with room to grow, or as a pleached or pruned feature.

Planting time: November to March while the plant is dormant, whenever the ground is not frozen or waterlogged. Soak the roots in a bucket of water for an hour before planting.

Spacing: Allow plenty of space as a specimen, or about 1m apart for a pleached screen.

Care

Watering: Water well in the first two summers after planting.

Feeding: A spring mulch is enough.

Pruning: Shape in winter if needed. Small-leaved lime responds well to pleaching and pollarding.

Harvesting & Storage

Harvesting: Pick the flowers with their pale bracts in July when freshly open.

Storage: Dry flowers quickly on a tray out of sunlight and store in an airtight jar.

UK Growing Conditions

A historic native tree of ancient English woodland, fully hardy and long-lived.

Culinary Uses

Dried flowers with their bracts make linden tea, also known as tilleul.

Traditional Herbal Uses

Linden flower tea has a long tradition as a gentle, calming evening drink.

Please note: Traditional uses are included for cultural and educational interest and are not medical advice. This product is sold as a garden plant. Seek professional advice before using any plant medicinally.

Wildlife & Garden Benefits

The summer flowers are loved by honeybees, and the tree supports many moths and other insects.

Bare root plants: Bare root plants are lifted from the field while dormant and despatched only between November and February. Orders placed now are reserved and sent at the right planting moment, with an email beforehand giving your delivery window.

On arrival: Plant as soon as possible. If you cannot plant straight away, keep the roots moist and wrapped, or heel the plants into a trench of soil until conditions allow.

Other items in your order: Seeds and garden supplies are normally despatched within 2–4 working days.