Silver linden has leaves that are dark green above and silvery-white below. It can be used as a street tree.
This plant has some cultivated varieties. Go to list of cultivars.
Botanical name:
All common names:
Family (English):
Family (Botanic):
Planting Site:
- Residential and parks,
- City parkway,
- Wide median
Tree or Plant Type:
- Tree
Foliage:
- Deciduous (seasonally loses leaves)
Native Locale:
- Non-native
Landscape Uses:
- Parkway/street,
- Shade tree,
- Specimen
Size Range:
- Large tree (more than 40 feet)
Mature Height:
Mature Width:
Light Exposure:
- Full sun (6 hrs direct light daily),
- Partial sun/shade (4-6 hrs light daily)
Hardiness Zones:
- Zone 4,
- Zone 5 (Chicago),
- Zone 6,
- Zone 7
Soil Preference:
- Moist, well-drained soil
Tolerances:
- Alkaline soil,
- Road salt
Acid Soils:
- Tolerant
Alkaline Soils:
- Tolerant
Salt Spray:
- Tolerant
Soil Salt:
- Tolerant
Drought Conditions:
- Intolerant
Poor Drainage:
- Intolerant
Ornamental Interest:
- Summer blossoms,
- Fall color,
- Fragrant flowers
Seasons of Interest:
- late spring,
- early summer,
- midsummer,
- late summer,
- early fall,
- mid fall
Flower Color & Fragrance:
- Fragrant,
- Yellow
Shape or Form:
- Pyramidal
Growth Rate:
- Moderate
Transplants Well:
- Yes
More Information:
Silver linden
photo: John Hagstrom
Tree & Plant Care
Full sun is best. Fairly adaptable to soil pH. Will tolerate drought a little better than other linden species.
Disease, pests, and problems
Aphids, Japanese beetles, linden borer are possible insect problems.
Powdery mildew and Verticillium wilt are possible fungal problems.
Disease, pest, and problem resistance
Silver linden does show less susceptibility than other lindens to Japanese beetles.
Native geographic location and habitat
Silver Linden is native to Europe and Asia.
Bark color and texture
On young trees the bark is a smooth gray. On older trees, the bark becomes more ridged.
Leaf or needle arrangement, size, shape, and texture
Simple, alternate leaves are heart-shaped with sharply serrated margins. Leaf size can vary from 2 to 5 inches.
In summer, leaves are dark green above and silvery-white on the underside. Fall color is a mild yellow.
Flower arrangement, shape, and size
Creamy yellow flowers in hanging clusters (7 to 10 flowers per cluster) in early summer. Each cluster is accompanied by a long, strap-shaped bract. Very fragrant.
Fruit, cone, nut, and seed descriptions
Fruits are small egg-shaped gray nutlets, accompanied by a long strap-like bract.
Cultivars and their differences
Green Mountain® silver linden (Tilia tomentosa 'PNI 6051'): This cultivar has a faster growth rate and is more tolerant of heat and drought.
Sterling silver linden (Tilia tomentosa 'Sterling'): Good tolerance of heat and drought. This cultivar shows some resistance to Japanese beetle.