1 named cultivar

‘Harvest Gold’Mongolian Linden

tree

Mongolian Linden

Tilia mongolica

The Story

Plant Bio

Tilia mongolica, Mongolian linden, is a slow pyramidal to rounded deciduous tree from northern China and far eastern Russia, twenty to thirty feet high and fifteen to twenty-five across. The leaves are unusual for a linden — ovate, three to five lobed and sharply serrated — and small scented summer flowers give grey nutlets on long strap-like bracts.

It is the small linden with maple-like lobed leaves, which is not something the genus normally does, and its grey bark exfoliates irregularly for winter interest. Every part of the tree earns its keep: the young leaves and shoots are edible raw or cooked, the flowers make a traditional tea, and bees work them heavily in midsummer.

Uses & Benefits:

Maple-like lobed foliage on a neat pyramidal tree, with irregularly exfoliating grey bark.

Small enough for a garden where most lindens are not, and low maintenance once established.

The summer flowers are a heavy nectar source for bees and other insects.

Essentials

At a Glance

Plant Type

Tree

Height

300 inches

Width

240 inches

Light

Full Sun, Partial Sun

Zones

4, 5, 6, 7, 8

Water

Moderate

Humidity

Moderate

Lifespan

Perennial

Native To

Northern China and far eastern Russia

Toxicity

Non-toxic; leaves and flowers edible

Planting

How to Grow

Plant in full sun or partial shade in moist drained soil.
Allow twenty-five feet of width at maturity.
Water through the first several summers.
Expect slow growth; do not force it with feed.
Prune in late winter only if shaping is needed.
Keep the trunk clear of mower damage.

Pro Tip

Choose it precisely because it stays small — most lindens reach seventy feet, and this one tops out around thirty, which is what makes it usable in a garden.

Keep It Thriving

Care Guide

Do

Give it moist, well-drained soil 💧
Allow twenty-five feet of width 📏
Prune in late winter if needed ✂️
Enjoy the flowers as tea 🍵

Don't

Expect fast growth ❌
Plant it in dry compacted ground ❌
Damage the trunk with mowers ❌

Seasonal Care Calendar

Task	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Enjoy
Water

Watch Out For

Pests & Diseases

Common Pests

Common Diseases

In the Garden

Landscape Uses & Companions

Landscape Uses

Small shade tree for a garden or courtyardStreet and avenue planting where space is tightWoodland edge and pollinator planting

Companion Plants

Serviceberry Redbud Hydrangea HostaChristmas Fern

Multiply

Propagation Methods

Good to Know

Common Questions

Mongolian Linden questions

What zones can Mongolian Linden grow in?

Mongolian Linden is hardy in USDA Zones 4–8. Inside that range it survives winter in the ground; outside it, grow it as an annual or a container plant you protect.

Is Mongolian Linden deer resistant?

Yes — Mongolian Linden is rated deer-resistant. Deer typically pass it over, though extreme hunger can override any plant's defenses.

When does Mongolian Linden bloom?

Mongolian 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 Mongolian Linden need full sun?

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

Is Mongolian Linden drought tolerant?

Yes — once established (usually after the first full season), Mongolian Linden handles dry spells with minimal watering. Water deeply its first year to build the root system that makes that possible.