Silver Lime
Tilia tomentosa · Malvaceae
📷 Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 3.0
The gardener's calendar
In autumn, ease off feeding and take the chance to clean up around silver lime and prepare for winter.
ID card
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Flowering
- July to August
- Adult size
- Approximately 20 m in height
- Growth
- Moderate to fast
- Hardiness
- Very hardy (-20°C)
- Origin
- Southeast Europe and Asia Minor
- Soil type
- Deep, well-drained, tolerant
✓ Taxonomy verifiedSource: AI estimate · hardiness: reliability high.
Expert tips
The key tip
Silver linden grows fast and vigorously, requiring minimal watering after 2-3 years. Light pruning in February maintains a balanced, airy shape, especially if planted in an urban park or enclosed space.
The common mistake
Thinking your linden needs fertilizer or frequent watering—it just makes the tree soft, less hardy, and more prone to pests.
The pro's trick
In July-August, just before flowering, a light shaping prune gives denser growth and more generous blooms.
Care
Exposure
Silver linden prefers full sun exposure for beautiful flowering and optimal development. However, it tolerates partial shade. Choose a location sheltered from strong winds to protect its foliage.
Watering
Water regularly during the first year after planting to encourage root establishment. Once established, silver linden tolerates dry periods well thanks to its deep root system. During prolonged drought, weekly watering is beneficial.
Soil and planting
Silver linden adapts to most soil types, provided they are deep and well-drained. Avoid compacted or waterlogged soils. Enrich the planting hole with well-decomposed compost.
Pruning and maintenance
Pruning is not essential for young trees. Remove dead or poorly positioned branches in late winter. To maintain a harmonious shape, practice light pruning after a few years of establishment.
Fertilizing
A compost application in spring is generally sufficient to support silver linden's growth. Avoid excess nitrogen, which would promote growth at the expense of flowering. On poor soil, annual balanced fertilizer is recommended.
Diseases and pests
Silver linden is generally robust. Watch for aphids in spring and leaf spots in prolonged humid conditions. Good air circulation prevents most fungal issues.
Did you know?
Silver linden owes its common name to its leaves covered with fine white hair on the underside, which glimmers beautifully in the wind. This tree has long been planted in urban avenues in southern Europe for its superior resistance to drought and heat compared to common linden. Its fragrant flowers are also a precious source of nectar for bees, and beekeepers particularly appreciate it.
Where to buy it
Best planted in autumn so the roots settle in before summer, or in early spring once the frost has passed. Pick a plant with healthy foliage and roots that are not exposed. Best time: March, October, November.
Add this plant to my garden →Plants from the same family
- Small-leaved limeTilia cordata
- Rose of SharonHibiscus syriacus
- Marsh mallowAlthaea officinalis
- Crimean lindenTilia euchlora
- Swamp hibiscusHibiscus moscheutos
- Flower of an hourHibiscus trionum
Tips generated and checked by Viridia — adapt them to your local climate.