Tilia oliveri

Tilia oliveri, commonly known as the Chinese White Lime, is a medium to large deciduous tree native to Central China. With its stunning silver-backed foliage and graceful form, this lime tree brings ornamental elegance and low-maintenance benefits to both public landscapes and large gardens. Tilia oliveri was first discovered in 1888 by the plant hunter Augustine Henry and later introduced to the UK by Ernest Wilson, just a few years after the establishment of Hillier Nurseries.

Closely related to Tilia tomentosa, Tilia oliveri shares its valuable trait of being largely free from aphid infestations, meaning it produces no sticky honeydew, making it a clean, maintenance-friendly choice for urban environments. What sets Tilia oliveri apart is its smooth shoots and elegant, drooping roots in mature specimens, which add character to older trees.

The tree’s bark is smooth and silver-grey, providing year-round interest. Its leaves are broadly ovate, with finely toothed edges, dark green upper surfaces, and brilliantly white undersides. This silver foliage catches the wind beautifully, creating a dynamic, shimmering effect in any landscape.

In mid-summer, Tilia oliveri produces masses of white, fragrant flowers that attract bees and other pollinators without the nuisance of aphids. This makes it ideal for parks, avenues, and pollinator-friendly planting schemes.

Tilia oliveri is tolerant of a wide range of soils and thrives in full sun to partial shade. Its combination of beauty, resilience, and low-maintenance characteristics makes it an outstanding alternative to more common lime species.