Tilia cordata Kronenberg - Lime

The Tilia cordata 'Pevé Kronenberg' is a rare form of the Small-Leaved Lime tree of unknown origin and is still poorly documented. It is known that cultivated specimens have not yet produced flowers or fruit. It is a tree of small dimensions, developing a compact, very dense, spherical crown, but not regular. It reaches a height of 4 to 6 m (13 to 20ft), and the diameter of the crown can reach 3 to 5 m (10 to 16ft). Its cordate leaves are small, light green, with yellow autumn colouring. Very hardy, it grows in the sun in heavy or light soil if it remains moist.

The Tilia cordata (synonym Tilia parviflora) belongs to the Tiliaceae family and is native to European forests. Spontaneous in France, this species is common in the east and the Pyrenees. It is a deciduous species that tolerates partial shade and has a large canopy capable of reaching a height of over 30 m (98ft). It is found in the hill and mountain zone, growing up to 1500 m (4921ft) in altitude, usually on fresh, deep, fertile, acidic to neutral soil. It has excellent longevity.

The 'Pevé Kronenberg' cultivar has a short trunk and a very compact canopy, a miniature version of the Small-leaved Lime tree. When mature, its bark is dark brown and channelled, while the young, smooth branches are orange. Its entire alternate leaves are particularly small, 3 to 5 cm (1 to 2in) long. They are rounded, heart-shaped at the base, and acuminate at the tip, finely toothed at the edges. The lamina is a tender green. The leaves turn golden yellow in autumn and fall quite early in the season. The young shoots are reddish. As the stems of this variety are relatively thin, the ends often protrude in a characteristic manner, which adds a lot of charm to the plant. This cultivar is not known to flower and fruit, although data remains partial on this matter. The shape of the crown can be somewhat regulated by pruning to make it denser and more compact.

The 'Pevé Kronenberg' Lime tree is an interesting small tree wherever space is limited: in front of the house, in a courtyard, on a rooftop terrace, and even in a large container. It is easy to grow in many regions. Plant it in isolation, as the only tree in a small garden. It can also be used as a street tree for narrow garden paths. In the ground, under its small canopy, plant perennial flowers and ground covers to give it a rustic look. Consider Epimediums, Geranium nodosum, Vinca minor, and Ivy, which tolerate dry shade.