Tilia cordata small-leaved Lime

Tilia cordata, commonly known as the Small-Leaved Lime, is a magnificent native deciduous tree admired for its elegant heart-shaped leaves, fragrant summer flowers and graceful pyramidal form. Long-lived and highly adaptable, it is an excellent choice for gardens, parks, avenues and large landscapes, providing year-round beauty and exceptional wildlife value. In early summer, clusters of small, creamy-yellow flowers appear beneath pale green bracts, filling the air with a sweet fragrance that attracts bees, butterflies and other pollinating insects. The flowers are an important nectar source and are highly valued by beekeepers for producing delicious lime blossom honey. Fresh green heart-shaped leaves create a dense canopy throughout summer before turning brilliant shades of golden yellow in Autumn. The Small-Leaved Lime is hardy, easy to grow and thrives in fertile, well-drained soils. It tolerates urban pollution, pruning and exposed conditions, making it an excellent avenue tree as well as a superb specimen for larger gardens and parkland. As one of Britain's native trees, it plays an important role in supporting wildlife and biodiversity.