Lindens

We grow two linden varieties: Little Leaf Linden and American Linden.

Little Leaf Linden grows easily in average, medium, well-drained soils in full sun to part shade, and prefers moist, fertile loams while adapting to a wide range of conditions. It’s tolerant of heavy pruning; it can even be grown as a hedge, and handles urban conditions well. Native to Europe, it’s been widely planted in the U.S. as an ornamental shade tree for its attractive foliage, dense low branches, and city tolerance. It reaches up to 80 feet tall and 40 feet wide, adding 13-24 inches a year, with clusters of yellowish flowers and yellow-to-yellow-green fall color.

American Linden is noted for fragrant, pale yellow late-spring flower clusters, small nutlets that ripen by late summer, mucilaginous sap, and large dark green leaves with serrate margins and often-silvery undersides. Fall color is a subdued pale green to pale yellow, and winter twigs and buds are sometimes tinged red. In full bloom, the flowers draw bees in numbers loud enough to hear from several feet away, the nectar makes a prized honey, and the flowers have also been used for tea. It reaches 50-80 feet tall and 30-50 feet wide, tolerates drought and clay soil, and needs relatively low maintenance.

Growing conditions

Little Leaf Linden

• Hardiness zone: 3-7
• Mature height: 80 feet
• Mature spread: 40 feet
• Growth rate: 13-24 inches per year
• Sun: Full sun to light shade
• Tolerates: Not drought tolerant

American Linden

• Hardiness zone: 2-8
• Mature height: 50-80 feet
• Mature spread: 30-50 feet
• Sun: Full sun to part shade
• Water: Medium
• Maintenance: Low
• Tolerates: Drought, clay soil