Large Leaved Lime, Red Twigged Lime

Tilia platyphyllos Rubra is a super variety of the Red Twigged Lime, Tilia platyphyllos. It is distinguished by its young shoots, which are bright red-brown in color. This tree features large green leaves that transform into a stunning golden brown during autumn. The striking appearance of its young shoots, particularly in late winter, makes it a remarkable addition to any landscape.

This tree's aesthetic qualities make it an excellent choice for tier pleaching, as the fresh growth is visually striking, and regular pruning enhances its most attractive features. Additionally, Tilia platyphyllos Rubra is well-suited for a pollarding regime, further showcasing its stunning stems and vibrant colours.

With a fairly columnar shape, this tree maintains a more upright form than its species counterpart and was awarded the Award of Garden Merit in 2002. Like all Limes, it is adaptable, tolerating most soil conditions, but it does require ample space to thrive and reach its full glory. This medium to large tree is ideal for avenue planting, making a grand and stately individual specimen for parkland and expansive gardens. 

For planting schemes with limited space, Tilia platyphyllos Rubra remains a strong choice when pleached or pollarded, highlighting its brightly coloured stems and adding visual interest to smaller areas.

Mature height: 12-17m

Common names

Large Leaved Lime, Red Twigged Lime

Height of tree

12-17m

Soil type

Well drained, Will tolerate most soil types

Shape

Oval

Blossom Colour

Yellow

Foliage Colour

Green

Information Flags

Good for bees, Bark interest, Award

Looks good in

Winter

Location

Parkland, Avenue

Genus

Tilia