Linden

Commonly called lime in Europe (or “linn” by the Scandinavians), the lindens (Tilia)  are marvelous, pyramidal shaped shade trees that are perfect for front yards and gardens. There are many different species, but all are long lived and very beautiful. Lindens want rich, moist soil with good drainage but they are highly adaptable and can make do with less than ideal conditions. They are extremely tolerant of shade (though this will affect their growth rate) and are good trees to plant near older, aging trees. They have deep, wide spreading roots and are resentful of drought, though they can survive it once they are established.

Lindens have beautiful, heart shaped leaves that usually color up nicely in the fall and they flower in early summer. The blossoms are produced in great profusion though they are not at all showy, and they range from ivory to yellow in color. They are heavily scented and draw hundreds of bees. Standing beneath a linden in full bloom sounds like being surrounded by many fluorescent light bulbs- there is a veritable humming of many, many bees at work!

These flowers are used for tea and relaxants by many herbalists, and the oil of some species is pressed for the perfume industry. Small, pea-sized nutlets follow the blossoms.

The American linden (Tilia americana) ranges throughout eastern North America (including Ontario and parts of Manitoba) and is sometimes found in prairie landscapes. It has smooth, silvery bark and extremely large, heart shaped leaves that turn clear yellow in the fall. It is highly fragrant and grows 40-50 ft. tall and wide.

The littleleaf linden (T. cordata) is native to Europe and has smaller, shinier leaves than its American cousin. It is fairly slow growing but eventually reaches 30-40 ft. in height and makes an excellent front yard specimen. At least five or six cultivars are available, and all will turn a nice, light yellow in the fall. The flowers are deliciously fragrant. This is one of those trees that everyone will notice the scent but be hard pressed to tell where it is coming from!

The Dropmore linden (T. x flavescens) was introduced by Frank Skinner of Manitoba in 1955. It is a hybrid between these two mentioned species, and faster growing and more vigorous than either of its parents. It will reach 35 ft. in height, blooms extravagantly, and turns canary yellow in the fall. The CBC building in Regina is surrounded by ‘Dropmore’ lindens. When they flower you can smell the perfume all the way down the street!

You may also like to try the Mongolian linden (T. mongolica) which is native to China, Mongolia, and eastern Russia. It is reasonably fast growing, has curious exfoliating bark, and reaches anywhere from 20-30 ft. tall. It turns an exceptionally deep yellow in the fall. ‘Harvest Gold’ is a compact, vigorous cultivar that is slowly becoming more available in the nursery trade.