Tilia cordata ‘Greenspire’

Tilia cordata ‘Greenspire’, also known as the Greenspire Small-Leaved Lime, is a popular cultivar of Tilia cordata, admired for its strong central leader, symmetrical branching, and tidy form. This American selection was introduced in 1961 by Princeton Nurseries and has since become a favourite for avenues, urban plantings, and formal landscaping.

Unlike the typical species, Tilia cordata ‘Greenspire’ features slightly larger heart-shaped leaves with a bluish-green underside, creating a beautiful contrast when caught in the wind. In early summer, clusters of pale yellow, fragrant flowers bloom in short umbels, providing an excellent source of nectar for bees, butterflies, and other pollinators. These are followed by small, fuzzy grey fruits that develop by late summer.

One of the key advantages of Tilia cordata ‘Greenspire’ is its resistance to aphids and the honeydew they produce, making it a low-maintenance choice for public spaces like streets, car parks, and civic squares. The tree’s upright form and predictable growth habit make it ideal for creating structured, linear plantings.

Awarded the prestigious Royal Horticultural Society Award of Garden Merit, this tree is celebrated for its reliability and aesthetic appeal. Its versatility extends to a range of soil types and environmental conditions, including pollution tolerance—a valuable trait for urban projects.