Tilia japonica 'Ernest Wilson'
Japanese Lime
Description
Tilia japonica 'Ernest Wilson' is perhaps the most freely flowering lime with even young plants bearing clusters of pendant, ivory-white, scented flowers in abundance in mid-summer. The flowers of a specimen in our own arboretum fill the air around it with its delightful scent. The leaves are light green, heart-shaped, quite coarsely toothed and in a good autumn turn to shades of rich mustard-yellow. A lovely and unusual tree suitable for most gardens and woodland areas.Features
- Common name: Japanese Lime.
- Position: Full sun.
- Soil: Moist or well drained, fertile soil.
- Hardiness: Hardy.
- Flowering Period: June - July
- Flower Colour: Ivory white
- Rate of Growth: Moderate.
- Habit: Medium sized branching tree.
- Height: 15 m (50 ft)
- Spread: 15 m (50 ft)
- Notes: Tilia japonica 'Ernest Wilson' appreciates shelter from severe wind.
- Size: 40 - 60 cm tall in 2L containers
Further Information
This rare Linden or Lime was introduced from Japan by Ernest Wilson in 1919. For many years it has been cultivated in the west as Tilia insularis, a species actually from Cheju-do, off South Korea but recent research by Professor Donald Pigott suggests that the original plant was collected in Japan.
In Britain it will grow into a medium sized, very free flowering tree with up to 36 flowers per inflorescence. The fragrant ivory white flowers are borne profusely in midsummer and in autumn the leaves turn to shades of golden yellow.
Ernest Wilson was born in Chipping Campden in 1876. He first went to China plant hunting for the famous English nursery firm of Veitch in 1899. This trip lasted for three years and subsequently he returned for two further trips to China on behalf of the Arnold Arboretum, Massachusetts, earning himself the nickname of 'Chinese Wilson'.
He continued plant hunting for many years, collecting in Taiwan, Korea and Japan. He, and his wife were killed in a car accident in Massachusetts in 1930.
Extract from an information poster in our arboretum