Tilia cordata (Small Leaved Lime) seeds

The Small Leaved Lime is one of the UK's oldest native trees and has been widely planted in avenues and as a landscape tree for many years.  It grows into a magnificent tree with a broad, oval crown and is well suited to training into many different forms; pleached, pollarded and coppiced trees as well as container and bonsai trees.  A tree with many seasons of interest, it bears clusters of small, sweetly scented, creamy white flowers in summer which are attractive to bees and other insects.  In autumn, the heart shaped leaves turn clear yellow. 

Patience may be needed to grow this lovely tree from seed as germination can take a year.  The easiest way to grow them is to sow seed outside and let the changing seasons break the seeds dormancy. 

Hardy Tree
Height: 20m if not pruned
Position: Sun or semi-shade & moist, well-drained soil

Packet of 30 seeds

RHS Plants for Pollinators. 

The RHS Plants for Pollinators mark is only given to plants that support pollinating insects. Find out more at rhs.org.uk/plantsforpollinators

GROWING GUIDE

These seeds have a double dormancy which needs to be broken before they will germinate, ie. they need to go through a process which simulates the changing seasons.

Sowing Instructions:  Sow at any time of the year.  Sow in moist seed compost and cover with about 6mm of compost, then seal inside a polythene bag.  Maintain an optimum temperature of 18-21C for 4 months, then place the container in the fridge for a further 4 months.  Then, return to 18-21C and germination should take place.  Throughout this process check regularly and ensure the compost does not dry out. 

Alternatively, sow as above, seal in a polythene bag and place in a cold frame or sheltered part of the garden in spring or summer, let nature take its course as the seasons change and the seeds will germinate in spring of the following year.

Growing Instructions:  Transplant seedlings when large enough to handle into 7.5cm pots. The little trees are best grown on for a year or two in pots and protected from frost for at least the first winter.  Plant out once established in a sunny or semi-shaded position in moist, well drained soil.