Tilia cordata

$3,050.00

Tax included. Shipping calculated at checkout.

Size: 400L

400L

Current Stock Height Guides

400L: 2.6m – 4.5m Approx.

Height guide disclaimer: Height ranges are approximate only. As living products, plant heights naturally vary between individual plants, batches, and seasons. No guarantee is given that supplied plants will fall within the stated range. If minimum heights are required, you mustconfirm current batch heights with Evergreen Trees Direct prior to purchase. Variation in height is normal and is not grounds for return, refund, replacement, or compensation.

Mature Height & Width

Mature Height: 15m to 20m (approx.)

Mature Width: 8m to 12m

Tilia cordata is expected to grow 30cm to 60cm per year (moderate) (approx.).

Root Ball Dimensions

Use this as a reference when digging your planting hole. We recommend digging at least 10% wider than the dimensions below to encourage strong root development.

30cm Pot: 33cm (W) × 30cm (D)
40cm/45L Pot: 44cm (W) × 41.5cm (D)
50cm Pot / 70L Pot: 55cm (W) × 41.8cm (D)
100L Bag: 50.6cm (W) × 52.8cm (D)
150L Bag: 66cm (W) × 55cm (D)
200L Bag: 71.5cm (W) × 60.5cm (D)
300L Bag: 88cm (W) × 63.8cm (D)
400L Bag: 99cm (W) × 66cm (D)
500L Bag: 122cm (W) × 66cm (D)
750L Bag: 134cm (W) × 69cm (D)
1000L Bag: 146.3cm (W) × 71.5cm (D)
2000L Bag: 176cm (W) × 82.5cm (D)

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Email: sales@evergreentrees.com.au

Phone: (03) 7042 3318

About Your New Tilia cordata

Tilia cordata, the small leaved lime or little leaf linden, is a large deciduous shade tree with an upright, symmetrical and roughly pyramidal crown. The dark green leaves are heart shaped and neatly toothed, turning clear golden yellow in autumn. Fragrant pale yellow flowers hang beneath the foliage in summer.

It grows 15 to 20 metres tall and 8 to 12 metres wide over time, adding 30 to 60 centimetres a year. Cool temperate climates suit it best and it is fully frost hardy. It accepts a wide range of soils, tolerates urban pollution and copes with moderate drought once established.

It is planted as an avenue tree, in parks and along streets where a formal, even canopy is wanted, and it takes pleaching or clipping into a raised hedge on stilts. Allow room for the mature spread. Few deciduous trees give this much shade with such a predictable, tidy shape.

Frequently Asked Questions

About Small-Leaved Lime

What is Tilia cordata?

Tilia cordata is a European deciduous tree, known as small leaved lime in Britain and little leaf linden in North America. It has no connection to citrus limes. It is grown for its dense, symmetrical canopy, its heart shaped foliage and the scented flowers that bees work heavily through summer.

How big does Tilia cordata grow?

Mature trees reach 15 to 20 metres in height with a canopy 8 to 12 metres across, so this is a tree for parks, streets and larger properties rather than a suburban courtyard. Growth is steady at 30 to 60 centimetres a year, so it takes decades to reach full size. Plan spacing around the final width.

Is it evergreen or deciduous?

Deciduous. Leaves emerge fresh green in spring, deepen through summer, turn golden yellow in autumn and drop for winter. That cycle is part of the appeal in avenue planting, giving shade in summer and winter sun through the bare canopy. The branch structure is neat and symmetrical, so the tree still reads well when leafless.

When does it flower?

Flowering is in summer, generally December and January, with small fragrant pale yellow flowers hanging in clusters beneath a papery bract. The scent carries on still evenings and the flowers are worked heavily by bees. Small round nutlets follow. Trees usually need to be well established before they flower freely.

Where does it grow best in Australia?

It is a cool climate tree and performs best in Victoria, Tasmania, the ACT, the southern tablelands of New South Wales, the Adelaide Hills and cooler parts of south western Western Australia. It wants a genuine winter chill. Subtropical and tropical regions are unsuitable, and hot dry inland sites need irrigation.

Can it be pleached or used as a hedge?

Yes. It is one of the standard species for pleaching, where the canopy is trained flat on a frame above a clear trunk to make a hedge on stilts. It also clips into a formal block. Both treatments need annual pruning in winter to hold the shape and keep growth even along the frame.

How do I care for Tilia cordata?

Water deeply through the first three summers and mulch a wide root zone. Formative pruning in the early years builds a strong central leader and evenly spaced branches. After that, prune in winter while dormant to remove crossing limbs and basal suckers, which this species produces freely. Mature trees need little beyond suckering and deadwood removal.

Enriched Planting Mix (AO Certified)

$21.95

Enriched Planting Mix is a certified organic blend of Pure Magic Compost, composted animal manure, gypsum, composted coarse bark and a wetting agent, bagged in 30L. It is built to be dug through existing garden soil at planting time rather than used on its own, and the gypsum is what sets it apart from a plain compost.

Gypsum helps break up heavy clay so water and roots can move through it, while the compost and manure return organic matter and nutrient to tired ground. The coarse bark holds structure and keeps air around the root zone, and the wetting agent keeps moisture in the soil longer after rain or watering.

Use it when planting trees, shrubs, roses, fruit trees and exotic garden plants, particularly into clay. Dig a hole twice the width of the pot and 7 centimetres deeper, then mix roughly one third planting mix through the excavated soil. Spread 7 centimetres of that improved soil in the base before setting the plant in.

Frequently Asked Questions

About Enriched Planting Mix

What is Enriched Planting Mix made from?

It is a blend of Pure Magic Compost, composted animal manure, gypsum, composted coarse bark and a wetting agent. Each part has a job. The compost and manure supply organic matter and nutrient, the gypsum works on clay structure, the bark keeps air around the roots and the wetting agent holds moisture in the soil.

What plants is it suitable for?

It suits exotic garden plants, including roses, ornamental and deciduous trees, fruit trees, shrubs and perennials, and it earns its keep most on heavy clay sites. It is a planting mix rather than a potting mix, so its job is improving soil at planting time. Phosphorus sensitive natives are the one clear exception.

Is it safe for natives?

No, not for the phosphorus sensitive ones. The composted animal manure in this blend lifts phosphorus well above what Proteaceae such as Banksia, Grevillea, Hakea and Protea will tolerate, and the result can be leaf burn, dieback and plant death. Use the Native Potting Mix for those species, or plant them into unimproved local soil.

Is it certified organic?

Yes. It is a certified organic product with no chemical additives, which is why the manure and compost in it are fully composted rather than raw. That makes it sound around fruit trees and vegetable beds, and it means you are adding genuine organic matter to your soil rather than a synthetic conditioner.

How much do I need?

Work on roughly one third planting mix to two thirds of the soil you dug out of the hole. For a shrub out of a 200 millimetre pot that is only a few litres. An advanced tree going into a large hole will take considerably more. Judge the quantity by the volume of the hole rather than the size of the plant.

Can I use it in pots?

It is not a potting mix and should not be used on its own in a container. The blend is designed to be diluted through garden soil, and used straight in a pot it holds too much water and settles badly. For containers, reach for a premium potting mix, or the native mix if you are potting natives.

Does it need to be watered in?

Yes. Water the plant well several hours before you plant it, then water thoroughly again once the hole is backfilled and the soil firmed down. That first deep watering settles the improved soil around the root ball and drives out air pockets. Keep the water up over the first few months while the roots establish.

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Enriched Planting Mix (AO Certified)

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Uses in my Garden

Avenue Planting
Feature Tree
Shade Tree
Street Tree
Council or Civic Landscapes

Tilia cordata works in an:

Heritage / Traditional Garden – timeless, classic plantings for period homes.
Woodland Garden – layered, naturalistic design under dappled light.
Formal Garden – structured, symmetrical design with clipped shapes.

Is Tilia cordata Evergreen or Deciduous?

Tilia cordata is an Deciduous (Defoliates throughout colder months) Tree

Mature Height & Width

Mature Height: 15m to 20m (approx.)

Mature Width: 8m to 12m

Tilia cordata is expected to grow 30cm to 60cm per year (moderate) (approx.).

Growth Rate of Tilia cordata

Tilia cordata is expected to grow 30cm to 60cm per year (moderate) (approx.).

They are considered to have a:

Medium Growth Rate

Frost Tolerance & Ideal Climate to plant Tilia cordata

Is Tilia cordata frost tolerant?

Tilia cordata is Frost Hardy – Survives heavy and frequent frost without damage.

Does Tilia cordata Flower?

Tilia cordata produces clusters of creamy-yellow, sweetly scented flowers in early to mid-summer. The pendulous blooms create a soft, elegant display and are among the most fragrant of any ornamental tree, adding both visual and sensory appeal to the landscape.

Does Tilia cordata flower?

Yes - Flowers

Flowering Period:

Summer

Flower Type:

Clustered

Flower Colour:

Yellow

Is Tilia cordata an Australian Native Tree?

No

Tilia cordata is Native to Europe and western Asia, where it grows naturally in mixed forests, woodlands, and along river valleys.

What is the Wildlife Value of Tilia cordata ?

Its highly fragrant summer flowers are a magnet for bees, hoverflies and other beneficial pollinators, providing valuable nectar at a key time of year. The dense, rounded canopy also offers excellent shelter and nesting opportunities for small birds, making Tilia cordata a strong contributor to garden biodiversity.

How much Sunlight does Tilia cordata need?

Tilia cordata will thrive best in:

Full Sun
Part Shade

Preferred Soil?

Tilia cordata performs best in well-drained loam or sandy loam soils with an acidic to neutral pH. It will tolerate lighter sandy soils if enriched with organic matter to improve moisture retention and fertility. Avoid heavy clay, compacted or waterlogged conditions unless significantly improved, as these soils can stress the roots and reduce growth. Keep the soil evenly moist during establishment, then gradually reduce watering as the tree matures.

Is Tilia cordata Drought Tolerant?

Is Tilia cordata Drought tolerant?

As a young tree it benefits from regular deep watering to establish well. Once established, Tilia cordata develops moderate drought tolerance and performs reliably during warm, dry periods when planted in well-drained soil. Occasional supplementary watering during extended heat helps maintain canopy density, leaf quality and overall vigour.

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How To Plant Your Tilia cordata

Site: Choose a well-drained position in full sun to part shade with room for the canopy to develop.

Soil preparation: Enrich the planting area with quality compost and aged manure for a strong establishment phase.

Hole: Dig twice as wide as the root ball and the same depth.

Planting: Position level with the surrounding soil, backfill gently, firm in, then water deeply to settle the roots.

Recommended Planting Spacing For Your Tilia cordata

Hedging and screening: 1 to 1.5 metres apart for a dense informal screen, or 80 centimetres apart for a tighter formal hedge.

Feature tree: 3 to 4 metres apart to allow the full canopy and form to develop.

Avenue planting: 3 metres apart for a uniform soft-textured avenue.

Tilia cordata is expected to grow 30cm to 60cm per year (moderate) (approx.).

Medium Growth Rate

Long Term Care For Your Tilia cordata

Watering: Water deeply twice weekly through the first 12 months. Once established, this is drought tolerant and only needs a deep soak during extended dry periods.

Mulching: Apply a 5 to 7 centimetre layer of organic mulch over the root zone, keeping it 5 centimetres clear of the trunk.

Pruning: Tip prune in late winter and again in summer to build dense growth. For a formal hedge, light shaping two to three times a year keeps lines crisp.

Fertilising: Apply a slow-release general-purpose fertiliser in early spring and again in autumn for steady growth and consistent foliage colour.

Pest and disease: Hardy against most pests and diseases. Occasional inspection in warm humid conditions is all that's needed.

Planting Your Tilia cordata in Different Soil

Tilia Cordata performs best in free-draining loam or sandy loam with a neutral to slightly alkaline pH. Adaptable to a wide range of soils when drainage is sharp.

Sandy soil: Free-draining and ideal. Mulch lightly to moderate surface temperature.

Clay soil: Improve drainage with gypsum and coarse organic compost before planting.

Loam: The preferred soil for steady root development and consistent growth.

pH: Neutral to slightly alkaline preferred. Avoid waterlogging at all times.

Frequently Asked Questions

How fast does Tilia cordata grow?
It has a moderate to fast growth rate, typically growing 30–60cm per year under ideal conditions.

Does it require regular pruning?
Minimal pruning is needed—best done in late winter or early spring to maintain shape and remove deadwood.

Is it drought-tolerant?
Moderately drought-tolerant once established, but prefers consistent moisture for optimal growth.

Does it attract wildlife?
Yes, its fragrant flowers attract bees, butterflies, and other pollinators, making it an excellent bee-friendly tree.

Is it suitable for small gardens?
Due to its large mature size, it is best suited for spacious landscapes, streetscapes, or parks rather than small gardens.