Tilia platyphyllos 'Rubra' – A Stunning Lime Tree with Gorgeous Red-tinged Foliage
Tilia platyphyllos 'Rubra', commonly known as the Red-leaved Large-leaved Lime, is a striking deciduous tree admired for its attractive reddish-tinted foliage, fragrant flowers, and graceful form. This tree brings unique colour, fragrance, and structure to gardens, parks, and urban landscapes. With its distinctive red-tinged leaves in the spring and summer and its stunning appearance throughout the seasons, 'Rubra' is a beautiful addition to any landscape.
Seasonal Beauty & Growth
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Spring: In spring, 'Rubra' begins to emerge with its young leaves tinged in red, creating a dramatic effect against other greenery in the garden. As the season progresses, the foliage turns into a rich, dark green with subtle reddish hues, offering a unique colour palette.
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Summer: The tree's foliage matures to a lush green with tinges of purple-red, creating a striking contrast against other trees and plants. During late spring to early summer, the tree produces clusters of fragrant, pale yellow flowers, which are highly attractive to bees and other pollinators. These flowers add a sweet scent to the air, making this tree a sensory delight.
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Autumn: In autumn, the leaves turn a golden-yellow before falling, providing a final burst of colour. The transformation from rich green to golden tones offers a lovely seasonal change, keeping the tree visually interesting well into the colder months.
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Winter: In winter, Tilia 'Rubra' presents an elegant silhouette, with its broad, arching branches and smooth bark. Its bare form, combined with the lingering remnants of flowers, adds architectural interest to the winter landscape.
Structure & Form
Tilia platyphyllos 'Rubra' is a medium to large-sized deciduous tree, typically growing to a height of 15–20m (49–66ft) with a spread of 8–12m (26–39ft). It has an upright, rounded crown that becomes more spreading with age. The tree’s large, heart-shaped leaves are a key feature, offering both texture and colour. With its graceful, open canopy, 'Rubra' provides both shade and visual appeal, making it an excellent choice for large gardens, parklands, and avenues.
Ideal for Various Landscapes
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Specimen Tree & Focal Points: Due to its unique red-tinged leaves and impressive size, Tilia 'Rubra' is perfect as a specimen tree or focal point in larger gardens or parks. Its seasonal beauty and impressive stature will draw attention and provide interest throughout the year.
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Urban & Street Planting: This tree is well-suited to urban environments, where it can thrive in a range of soil types and tolerate the stresses of city life. Its large canopy offers much-needed shade, while its height and structure make it ideal for streetscapes and public spaces.
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Wildlife Gardens: The fragrant flowers of 'Rubra' attract bees, butterflies, and other pollinators, making it an excellent choice for wildlife-friendly gardens. Its dense canopy also provides shelter for birds and insects.
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Mixed Borders & Hedges: This tree can be incorporated into mixed planting schemes where its bold foliage and unique colour contrast with other shrubs and plants. It also works well as part of a hedge in larger spaces.
Growing Conditions & Care
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Position: Tilia 'Rubra' thrives in full sun to partial shade. For the best foliage colour and overall growth, plant in a sunny spot, though it will tolerate some shade.
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Soil: Prefers well-drained, fertile soil, though it is adaptable to a variety of soil types, including clay, loam, and sandy soils. It performs best in moist but well-drained conditions.
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Hardiness: Fully hardy, Tilia 'Rubra' is suited to temperate climates and can tolerate a wide range of conditions, including cold winters and moderate frost. It is a resilient tree that will thrive in urban environments or rural settings.
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Maintenance: This tree requires minimal maintenance once established. Pruning is generally light and only necessary to remove any dead or damaged branches. It is relatively pest-resistant, though occasional attention may be needed for aphids or fungal diseases. Regular watering during dry periods will help it establish, especially when young.
Why Choose Tilia platyphyllos 'Rubra'?
Tilia platyphyllos 'Rubra' is a striking, multi-season tree that adds texture, fragrance, and unique colour to any landscape. Its beautiful red-tinged leaves in spring and summer, paired with its fragrant flowers and golden autumn foliage, make it a standout choice for gardens and public spaces. Whether as a specimen tree or part of a mixed planting, 'Rubra' offers lasting visual interest and ecological benefits.
Perfect Plant Combinations
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Other Ornamental Trees – Pair with Acer (Maple) or Prunus (Flowering Cherry) for a stunning combination of vibrant foliage and seasonal colour.
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Flowering Shrubs – Combine with Hydrangea or Viburnum for complementary blooms and texture.
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Perennials & Grasses – Underplant with Lavender, Hostas, or Astilbe to create layers of colour and texture around the base of the tree.
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Spring Bulbs – Complement with Crocus, Narcissus (Daffodils), or Tulips for a beautiful spring display that enhances the tree's seasonal appeal.
Tilia platyphyllos 'Rubra' is a versatile and beautiful tree that adds structure, fragrance, and colour to any landscape. With its unique foliage, fragrant flowers, and impressive size, this tree will provide stunning seasonal interest and year-round beauty, making it a standout addition to any garden or urban space.
Does the height include the pot?
No, we measure from the top of the pot to the tip of the plant except for some of the instant planted screens, in this case it will be stated in the description
How long does delivery take?
Most orders are delivered in just a few days, Smaller items are often sent with Parcelforce on a next day service, Larger items should allow up to 10 days due to the size of the items they often have to be sent on our own transport.
Where will you leave my plants?
We will leave your order at the front of your property, Parcelforce may
leave your items in a safe place if you let us know, Pallet couriers
will require a flat hard surface to deliver to, no gravel or soil, a
driveway or parking spot would be best. Most importantly Deliveries by
pallet courier will require access for a large truck (bin lorry sized)
to get near the delivery point. Deliveries sent on our own transport may come in a small van or larger truck.
