192 gardener saves
Tilia: the varieties gardeners actually grow
We track 12 varieties; these are the ones gardeners actually save and plant, ranked by real saves rather than catalog marketing. Each links to full care, bloom, and live price data.
The 12 most-saved Tilia varieties
Of 12 in the catalog — ordered by how many gardeners actually grow them.
#1 most savedSentry American Linden
Tilia americana 'Sentry'
#2 most savedRedmond American Linden
Tilia americana 'Redmond'
#3 most savedGreenspire Linden
Tilia cordata 'Pni 6025'
American Linden
Tilia americana
Green Mountain Silver Linden
Tilia tomentosa 'Green Mountain'
Boulevard American Linden
Tilia americana 'Boulevard'
Mongolian Linden
Tilia mongolica 'Harvest Gold'
Littleleaf Linden
Tilia cordata 'Glenleven'
Corinthian Littleleaf Linden
Tilia cordata 'Corinthian'
Silver Linden
Tilia tomentosa
Littleleaf Linden
Tilia cordata
Sterling Silver Linden
Tilia tomentosa 'Sterling Silver'
How to grow Tilia
What the Tilia varieties in our catalog actually agree on — drawn from the care records of the 12 most-grown of them, not from a generic template.
The Tilia year
- PruneJanuary and February100% of varieties
Prune in late winter to remove dead wood and maintain its form.
- Check for PestsMay–July83% of varieties
Monitor for Japanese beetles and aphids, which are common pests.
- PlantMarch, April, September, October and November58% of varieties
Plant balled-and-burlapped or container trees in spring or fall.
- FertilizeMarch42% of varieties
Fertilize young trees in early spring with a balanced fertilizer if growth is poor.
Do
- Prune young trees to develop a strong central leader.
- Allow ample space for its mature size.
- Water regularly during the first few years to establish a deep root system.
- Provide ample space for its large mature size.
- Water regularly during establishment and in periods of drought.
Avoid
- Don't plant in compacted or poorly drained soils.
- Avoid planting where its aphid honeydew will be a major nuisance.
- Don't plant in hot, dry, restricted root zones.
- Avoid wounding the bark, which can be susceptible to cankers.
What goes wrong with Tilia
| Problem | What you'll see | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Aphids | Large populations of aphids feed on leaves, secreting sticky honeydew that drips down and supports the growth of black sooty mold. | Encourage beneficial insects like ladybugs. Use insecticidal soap or horticultural oil. Systemic insecticides can be effective but may harm pollinators. |
| Japanese Beetle | Adult beetles skeletonize the leaves, eating the tissue between the veins, often in large numbers. | Hand-pick beetles into soapy water. Pheromone traps can attract more beetles, so place them far away. Apply insecticides containing carbaryl or neem oil. |
| Japanese Beetles | Skeletonized leaves during summer months. | Hand-pick into soapy water. Pheromone traps can attract more beetles; use with caution. |
| Verticillium Wilt | Sudden wilting and dieback of individual branches, often showing discoloration in the sapwood when cut. | There is no cure. Prune out and destroy infected branches. Provide good care to help the tree defend itself. Avoid planting lindens where wilt has been a problem. |
| Anthracnose | Irregular brown spots on leaves, sometimes causing premature leaf drop, especially in wet springs. | Generally not a serious threat. Rake and dispose of fallen leaves. Prune to improve air circulation. Fungicides are rarely warranted. |
| Sooty Mold | A black, powdery coating on leaves, stems, and surfaces under the tree. | This is a fungus that grows on aphid honeydew. Control the aphids to control the mold. It does not directly harm the tree. |
Making more Tilia
Grafting
- Collect dormant scion wood from a Greenspire® linden in winter.
- In late winter or early spring, graft the scions onto Tilia cordata rootstock.
- T-budding in summer is also a common method.
- Wrap the union and care for the graft until it heals.
Seed
- Collect seeds in fall and remove the hard seed coat.
- Requires a complex stratification: warm, then cold.
- Sow in a protected seedbed.
- Germination can take up to two years.
Tilia questions
How many types of Tilia are there?
The Sow catalog tracks 12 distinct Tilia varieties. The most popular — ranked by 192 real gardener saves — are shown first above.
What zones does Tilia grow in?
Across its varieties, Tilia covers USDA Zones 4–9. Individual varieties differ — each plant page lists its exact range, and Sow filters the catalog to your zone automatically.
When does Tilia bloom?
Most Tilia varieties bloom in early summer. Staggering early, mid, and late varieties extends the genus's season in one bed.
Which Tilia should I choose?
Start from the most-saved varieties above — popularity across thousands of gardens is a strong signal of reliability — then filter by your zone and sun. In the Sow app you can preview any of them in a photo of your actual yard before you buy.
Keep exploring
Design with Tilia in your own yard
Snap a photo of your space and see these varieties planted in it — sized correctly, matched to your zone, with care reminders included.
