Tilia tomentosa (Silver Linden)

Shimmering with each little breeze, Tilia tomentosa (Silver Linden) is a large deciduous tree of usually broadly pyramidal habit adorned with erect branches clothed in rounded, sharply-toothed leaves, 2-5 in. long (5-12 cm), glossy green above and silvery-white beneath. The fuzzy undersides make the tree sparkle when the breeze stirs the leaves, creating a beautiful two-toned effect. In early to midsummer, small, fragrant creamy-white flowers are borne in drooping cymes. Rich in nectar, they are highly attractive to bees. The blossoms are followed by small nutlets that ripen in late summer. The foliage turns yellow in the fall before dropping to the ground. The bark is smooth, light gray bark to silver-gray, and very attractive in the winter months. Less troubled by Japanese beetles or aphids, Silver Linden is a beautiful shade, street, or lawn tree.

• Grows up to 50-70 ft. tall (15-21 m) and 30-50 ft. wide (9-15 m).
• A full sun to part shade lover, this plant is easily grown in average, medium moisture, well-drained soils. Prefers moist, fertile, well-drained loams.
• Keep an eye out for aphids, horse chestnut scales, caterpillars, sawflies, gall mites, and phytophthora root diseases.
• Propagate by seed, layering, grafting, or chip-budding onto a suitable rootstock.
• Native from southeast Europe to Asia Minor.