tree RHS Award

Littleleaf Linden

Tilia cordata

Not currently listed at our partner nurseries.

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Essentials

At a Glance

Plant Type

Tree

Height

600 inches

Width

360 inches

Light

Full Sun, Partial Sun

Zones

4, 5, 6, 7

Water

Medium

Humidity

Average

Lifespan

Very long-lived, over 150 years

Native To

Europe and Western Asia

Toxicity

Non-toxic

The Story

Plant Bio

Tilia cordata is a medium to large deciduous tree with a dense, pyramidal to rounded crown and distinctive heart-shaped leaves. It is prized for its fragrant summer flowers and stately form. This species is particularly known for its small, heart-shaped (cordate) leaves and its intensely fragrant, pale yellow flowers that are highly attractive to bees, producing a prized honey. It is also very tolerant of urban conditions.

Bloom Period:

EarlyLate

Uses & Benefits:

A handsome and stately shade tree, the Littleleaf Linden offers a dense, pyramidal canopy of heart-shaped leaves that turn a lovely buttery yellow in fall. Its form brings a sense of classic elegance to landscapes.

Its tolerance for urban pollution and a range of soil types makes it an excellent street tree or lawn specimen. The dense foliage provides deep, cooling shade in summer. The flowers can be harvested for herbal tea.

The highly fragrant flowers are a vital nectar source for bees in early summer, producing a sought-after honey. The tree also provides nesting sites for birds.

Marketplace

Where to Buy

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Planting

How to Grow

Choose a site with full sun and moist, well-drained soil.
Dig a planting hole two to three times wider than the root ball.
Set the tree so the top of the root ball is level with the ground.
Backfill the hole with the original soil, watering to settle.
Apply a 2-3 inch layer of mulch around the base, avoiding the trunk.
Water regularly during the first few years to establish.

Pro Tip

Avoid planting where dripping honeydew from aphids could be a nuisance on cars or patios.

Keep It Thriving

Care Guide

Do

Water deeply during prolonged dry spells, especially when young.
Prune to develop a strong central leader and scaffold branches.
Tolerate some aphid activity, as it supports beneficial insects.

Don't

Don't plant in compacted or poorly drained soils.
Avoid heavy pruning or 'topping' the tree.
Don't allow mulch to touch the trunk, which can cause rot.

Seasonal Care Calendar

Task	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Fertilize
Pest Check
Prune

Watch Out For

Pests & Diseases

Common Pests

Common Diseases

In the Garden

Landscape Uses & Companions

Landscape Uses

Classic shade tree for lawnsFormal street or avenue plantingStately specimen tree

Companion Plants

Hosta sieboldiana 'Elegans' Geranium macrorrhizum Hakonechloa macra 'Aureola' Hydrangea arborescens 'Annabelle'

Multiply

Propagation Methods

Good to Know

Common Questions

Littleleaf Linden questions

What zones can Littleleaf Linden grow in?

Littleleaf Linden is hardy in USDA Zones 4–7. Inside that range it survives winter in the ground; outside it, grow it as an annual or a container plant you protect.

Is Littleleaf Linden deer resistant?

Not reliably. Deer may browse Littleleaf Linden, especially tender spring growth — plan on repellents or fencing where pressure is high.

When does Littleleaf Linden bloom?

Littleleaf Linden typically blooms in early summer through mid-summer. Exact timing shifts a week or two with your zone — Sow's bloom calendar maps it to your garden.

Does Littleleaf Linden need full sun?

Littleleaf Linden does best in full sun to part shade. In hot climates, afternoon shade keeps blooms fresher longer.