Tilia cordata 'Rancho' | Hillier Trees

Tree Information

Specialities

Tolerances

Wet Soil: Low

Dry Soil: High

Lime: Medium

Tilia cordata ‘Rancho’ is a refined, compact cultivar of Tilia cordata, offering elegant structure and reliable performance for urban landscapes, parks, and gardens. Selected by E.H. Scanlon in Ohio in 1961, Rancho is a more compact alternative to the well-known Tilia cordata ‘Greenspire’, with smaller, denser foliage and a tidier form.

The foliage of Tilia cordata ‘Rancho’ is one of its most attractive features. Its small, heart-shaped leaves are a vibrant green on the upper surface and a soft grey-green beneath. As autumn arrives, the tree transforms into a striking display of golden-yellow leaves, which tend to persist on the tree longer than other varieties, extending its seasonal interest well into late autumn.

In summer, Tilia cordata ‘Rancho’ produces clusters of fragrant, creamy yellow flowers arranged in groups of 5 to 7 on delicate panicles. These blossoms attract bees, butterflies, and other pollinators, making Rancho a valuable addition to biodiversity-conscious planting schemes. After flowering, the tree develops thick, woody brown nuts that remain into autumn.

Known for its upright, pyramidal form and moderate growth rate, Tilia cordata ‘Rancho’ is ideal for narrower streets, residential developments, and formal avenues. It is well suited to a variety of soil types, shows good drought tolerance once established, and thrives in both full sun and partial shade.

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Size

Medium

10m high x 4m wide after 25 years

Environment

Its narrow habit makes this tree suitable for streets and inner-city locations. Also, a great car park tree.

Canopy

Narrow and pyramidal becoming more ovoid as it matures. Densely branched and slow growing.

Foliage

Small heart shaped leaves, vibrant green on top and grey-green under. Leaves turn a striking yellow in autumn.

Flowers

Creamy yellow panicles with a sweet fragrance.

Fruit

Thick, brown nuts in autumn.

Resilience

Will do well in nutrient rich soil in a sunny to partially shaded area. Resistant to frost and wind and tolerates heat well. It is tolerant of drought but not for long periods of time. Resistant to aphids.

Wildlife

Flowers are valuable for bees, butterflies and other pollinators.

FAQs

How tall does Tilia cordata ‘Rancho’ grow?

Typically, Tilia cordata ‘Rancho’ reaches around 10–15 metres tall at maturity, with a narrow, upright form. This makes it ideal for street planting, car parks, and urban developments with spatial constraints.

Does Tilia cordata ‘Rancho’ produce honeydew?

Like many lime trees, it may attract some aphids, but Rancho is known for being relatively low in honeydew production compared to standard Tilia cordata. This makes it a cleaner option for pavements and car park areas.

How does Tilia cordata ‘Rancho’ compare to Tilia cordata ‘Greenspire’?

Rancho is more compact, with denser foliage and a slightly slower growth rate than Tilia cordata ‘Greenspire’. It’s a better option for tight planting zones or where a slightly smaller tree is desired.