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Tilia cordata 'Greenspire'
  • RHS AGM
  • RHS Plants for pollinators

small-leaved lime 'Greenspire'

A vigorous and narrowly conical, deciduous tree about 15m tall and 7m wide, with glossy, dark green, heart-shaped leaves turning yellow in autumn. Small, fragrant pale creamy-yellow flowers are borne in spreading clusters of up to 10 flowers in midsummer

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Size
Ultimate height
Higher than 12 metres
Time to ultimate height
20–50 years
Ultimate spread
4–8 metres
Growing conditions
Chalk
Clay
Sand
Loam
Moisture
Moist but well–drained
pH
Alkaline, Neutral
Colour & scent
StemFlowerFoliageFruit
Spring Green
Summer Cream Yellow Green
Autumn Yellow Gold
Winter
Position
  • Full sun
  • Partial shade
Aspect

West–facing or East–facing or South–facing

Exposure
Sheltered
Hardiness
H6
Botanical details
Family
Malvaceae
Native to GB / Ireland
No
Foliage
Deciduous
Habit
Bushy, Columnar upright
Genus

Tilia are deciduous trees with broadly ovate or heart-shaped leaves and pendulous clusters of fragrant yellow-green flowers, followed by conspicuous winged fruits

Name status

Accepted

How to grow

Cultivation

Suitable for parks and very large gardens. Grow in moist but well-drained soil in full sun or part shade, with shelter from cold winds. For more advice see tree cultivation

Propagation

Propagate by chip budding although care must be taken with the choice of rootstock

Suggested planting locations and garden types
  • Architectural
  • Wildlife gardens
Pruning

Pruning group 1

Pests

May be susceptible to aphids, horse chestnut scale, caterpillars, sawflies and gall mites

Diseases

May be susceptible to sooty mould, phytophthora root rot and honey fungus

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