After a hard day’s gardening, I often relax with a gin and tonic on the patio. Of course it must have an ‘ice and a slice’. And my preferred slice is lime. I also love a slice of lime in the garden. I think lime coloured plants can really lift a gloomy corner and they provide a fantastic contrast to all sorts of other zingy colours. In fact if you went around a garden centre with a lime coloured plant, I think you’d struggle to find other plants which didn’t go with it.
The Allure of Lime: 10 Captivating Trees with Vibrant Lime Green Foliage
Lime green is a color that instantly grabs attention in the landscape. The bright, vibrant hue provides a lively pop of color that energizes any garden design. While many annuals and perennials feature lime accents, trees offer the impact of larger scale and lasting color. Their foliage can illuminate shady areas, provide lush texture, and add striking contrast.
Trees with lime-colored leaves are eye-catching statement makers, yet they can also offer graceful form, dappled shade, and other desirable qualities. With so many options available, including both evergreen and deciduous varieties, you can find the perfect lime tree to jazz up your outdoor space. Read on to discover 10 fabulous trees that showcase lively lime green foliage.
Vibrant Deciduous Trees
Several deciduous tree varieties reveal their lime-tinted leaves as a striking feature of their seasonal display. From spring through fall, their changing hues add pizzazz at various times
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Golden Honey Locust
A graceful addition, the golden honey locust (Gleditsia triacanthos var. inermis ‘Sunburst’) unveils its new foliage in a bright golden yellow each spring. The intensely colored, doubly pinnate leaves then mature to a lighter lime green as summer arrives. Below the airy, spreading canopy,filtered dappled shade is cast. In autumn, long twisted seed pods adorn the branches. This thornless cultivar reaches about 30 feet tall at maturity. -
Golden Robinia
Similar in effect, the golden robinia (Robinia pseudoacacia ‘Frisia’) emerges with fern-like lime green leaves that often develop into a vibrant yellow-gold in fall. Soft and delicate, the compound foliage offers a fine texture. Long clusters of fragrant pea-like blooms appear in early summer, followed by smooth brown seedpods. Growing 40-50 feet tall, this moderately sized locust relative makes a bright splash in the landscape. -
Golden ElmWhen quick color impact is desired the golden elm (Ulmus glabra ‘Lutescens’) is a great choice. Fast-growing and adaptable this elm features vivid chartreuse foliage that shifts to brilliant golden hues in autumn. Its spreading vase shape provides wide, arching shade. Allow plenty of room for this large tree to reach 40 to 50 feet tall and equally wide.
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Tulip Tree
A towering forest giant, the tulip tree (Liriodendron tulipifera) displays unique leaves that are four-lobed and almost square shaped. Emerging lime green in spring, the foliage turns a rich green in summer, bringing a tropical look. Another fun feature is the green and yellow tulip-like blooms high in the branches. Give this massive tree space to grow 70 to 100 feet tall.
Charming Evergreen Lime Trees
For year-round color impact, evergreen trees with lime-colored foliage keep gardens lively even during the winter months. Their hues illuminate dreary spots and stand out when paired with deep green pines and spruces.
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Lemon Lime Willow Myrtle
Willow myrtle offers a graceful weeping habit and narrow leaves that combine lemon and lime shades. The dwarf lemon lime willow myrtle (Agonis flexuosa ‘Lemon and Lime’) typically reaches just 6 to 10 feet tall and wide, making a perfect compact accent. Its pendulous dangling foliage brings vibrant color impact to landscapes in any season. -
Harlequin Glorybower
The harlequin glorybower (Clerodendrum trichotomum) distinguishes itself with astonishing variegated leaves. Each leaf displays one half lime green and the other half deep green, especially on new growth. The striking bicolor pattern draws the eye. Clusters of small, fragrant white blooms add to the appeal in summer. This ornamental tree matures at 15 to 25 feet tall. -
Japanese Tree Lilac
A garden standout, the Japanese tree lilac (Syringa reticulata) unfurls large, lush leaves with a lively lime green cast when young. Later, huge plumes of sweetly fragrant creamy white blooms perfume the air in early summer. With an oval habit that widens to a rounded canopy, mature size is 20 to 25 feet tall and wide. -
‘Urban Pinnacle’ Oak
For a vertical look, choose the ‘Urban Pinnacle’ oak (Quercus robur x bicolor ‘JFS-KW3’), a columnar hybrid with deeply lobed dark green foliage. In spring and fall, the leaves take on a fantastic lime tone. Providing a tall narrow shape year-round, the oak ultimately grows about 40 feet tall but just 4 to 6 feet wide.
Shade-Loving Lime Accents
Several Japanese maple varieties reveal the classic five-lobed leaves edged or accented with vivid lime hues. Their gracefully cascading branches offer multi-season color and texture. Some top options include:
- ‘Butterfly’ – Bright yellow leaf margins fade to pale green.
- ‘Moonfire’ – New foliage emerges chartreuse, turning orange and red in fall.
- ‘Shirazz’ – Glossy green leaves with chartreuse centers.
These small ornamental trees thrive in partial shade and typically reach 10 to 25 feet tall. Protect them from harsh afternoon sun exposure.
Simple Native Lime Beauty
Lastly, consider using the understated elegance of the native fringetree (Chionanthus virginicus) to incorporate lime. In spring, this trouble-free small tree displays oval satiny leaves in a fresh lime green. Later, slightly fragrant fringe-like white blooms add seasonal interest. Growing to about 15 to 20 feet tall and wide, fringetree adapts readily to many sites.
When you want to energize your landscape with vibrant color, look to these exceptional trees that showcase lively lime-hued foliage. Their bold hues can brighten up dreary areas, provide invigorating contrast, or lend a punch of pizzazz. With this diverse array of tempting options, from towering forest giants to graceful ornamentals, you can find just the right lime tree to make your garden design pop.
Hakonechloa macra ‘Aureola’ – Japanese Forest Grass
Hakonechloa is another family of beautiful, ornamental grasses. It’s fantastic next to more structured plants such as box, or lining the edge of paths and borders. However, once again I have mine in a pot (yes blue coloured). And the variety I’ve gone for is Aureola as it’s got vivid green and yellow striped foliage which creates a lime effect. However, this one does go reddish (I believe) if you have it in full sun, so mine is in partial shade. From late Summer, it produces pale green, slender, flower spikes but it’s the leaves which I love.
With apple-fresh lime leaves, I have Heuchera Lime Marmalade in semi-shade, edging part of a border. When I wander around the garden at dusk, G&T in hand (still weeding and deadheading), this heuchera pulses out of the gloom. It’s quite extraordininary. I almost feel its leaves are phosphorescent!
The flowers are really pretty too, small and slightly frothy. That’s why, as lime coloured plants go, this heuchera takes some beating. Heuchera Lime Marmalade grows about 50cm tall, is hardy but likes damp-ish conditions. I think it looks brilliant in mixed borders, especially with white flowers. Unlike many other pale leaved heucheras, this one can deal with a bit of sun. And as the heuchera fan club will tell you, its also easy to propagate. Indeed, this year alone I’ve doubled my stock of Lime Marmalades! You can see how I did it in my blog on dealing with leggy heucheras
Confession time. I don’t have a gorgeous picture of this plant to share with you in my garden as, despite planting it twice now, it just hasn’t thrived. So why do I keep trying to grow the blooming thing? Well, I love it because it’s a bit different. It’s a smaller (grows about 60cm tall) but no less statuesque red hot poker, without the red!
Instead Kniphofia Limelight produces short spikes of acid lime-green flowers. They’re so eye-catching. Then for good measure, and even more drama, it also has slightly curled leaves. I think they’d look stunning with hot, jewel coloured plants.
The problem with my Kniphofia is I keep doggedly putting them in a spot which doesn’t get enough sun! They like full sun. So if you want to avoid my disappointment don’t kid yourself they’ll thrive in semi shade. Mine don’t. They’re still alive but I can sense them grumbling about me from afar!
Strictly speaking Annabelle Hydrangeas are white, but if you have them in a slighly shaded spot, I’d argue that they actually have a lime hue. As such they make it onto my list.
One of the biggest features in my garden is my arc of 10 Annabelle Hydrangeas which grow under 5 Catalpa bignonioides ‘Nana’ trees. The combination is designed to screen a garden eyesore. And it works. But what I really love is the cool, lime toned effect which the Annabelles create. For instance today is an absolute scorcher, but the Annabelles look cool, calm and collected. I think it’s the lime tone which creates that coolness.
Top Lime Coloured Plants
This is such a classic, some might say, old fashioned perennial that it’s easy to overlook. But I’ve seen so many gardens where it’s frothily lightening things up. So I’m sticking it top of today’s list. Alchemilla is great for walkways, under trees in woodland type areas, in beds or as an edge to a border. Alchemilla grows about 1 ft tall and creates a lovely mound of velvety green leaves. These look particularly attractive after a shower, as the leaves seem to hold raindrops perfectly. So it’s a top plant in a rainy UK garden!
Alchemilla’s chartreuse coloured flowers are not showstoppers. But they come in largish sprays from June to September and really give the plant its zing. Happy in sun or partial shade and pretty well pest free, what’s not to like!
If you like a nice tidy border this plant isn’t going to be for you! Silene Fimbriata produces a glorious tangle of stems topped with the sweetest, lime coloured flowers. These are shaped like a bonnet and have a little white fringe. They romp away from May through to August and even when the flowers are over, the foliage keeps the lime effect going.
I have a large drift of Silene Fimbriata in my semi-shaded woodland bed. Here it contrasts beautifully with the Allium Purple Sensation, providing a wild backdrop to the Allium’s more ‘structured’ look. The Silene Fimbriata also works very nicely with the hots pink of the rose For Your Eyes Only (I wonder how many other plants have been given a James Bond related name?!)
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FAQ
What trees have bright green leaves?
- Gleditsia triacanthos var. inermis ‘Sunburst’ Golden Honey Locust. …
- Robinia pseudoacacia ‘Frisia’ Golden Robinia. …
- Ulmus glabra ‘Lutescens’ Golden Elm. …
- Liriodendron tulipifera Tulip Tree. …
- Agonis flexuosa ‘Lemon & Lime’ Lemon Lime Willow Myrtle, Weeping Peppermint Willow.
What maple tree has lime green leaves?
Green Laceleaf Japanese Maple Tree.
What tree has silvery green leaves?
Silver Leaf Oak Tree. One of our absolute favorite evergreen oaks the Silver Leaf Oak Tree lives up to its name with its sage green leaves and gorgeous silvery white undersides that flicker in the wind, glow from the nearest streetlight and thankfully for us terrestrial creatures are best enjoyed from below!
What plant is lime green?
Lime Green Pothos. The lime green pothos plant is an easy-going plant. Light needs: Bright indirect light is best but it can also do well in low light. Watering: Allow the topsoil to dry out between waterings.
Are lime trees evergreen?
The lime tree is an evergreen shrub that grows up to 15 feet (4.57 m) tall. Its branches are covered with small, bright green colored leaves that are arranged alternately along the stem, alongside several limes sprouting along the branches, depending on the time of year. 2. Lemongrass (Cymbopogon Citratus)
What flowers are lime green?
Amongst the perennial flowers there is no shortage of lime green plants. A variety of Echinacea, as well as a Hellebore, Hosta, and Heuchera come with those bright green notes. You can’t go wrong with Euphorbia, whose lime green blooms attract bees and other pollinators.
Are lime green plants a good choice?
Lime green foliage plants are a good choice for gardeners who like bright colors that stand out against other plants’ flowers and leaves. Bright green plants brighten dark corners and help flatter other tones. The hue is such a cheery one, injecting light into drab garden beds.
What are the different types of lime trees?
There are several types of lime trees, including the Persian lime, which is a cross between a key lime and a lemon tree. The Persian lime and the Bearss lime are the most commonly sold types in the US. Other types of lime trees include the Tahiti lime and various other varieties.
Which Lime Tree variety should I grow?
For gardeners wanting a classic lime, try growing the Persian lime tree or key lime tree. For the adventurous chefs, the kaffir lime may be the tree for you. Lime trees, like any citrus tree, have a few key needs in order to grow well.
What does a lime green flower look like?
The leaves are heart-shaped, 6-12 inches (15-30 cm) long, and may be red, yellow, orange, or purple. The ‘Lime Green’ variation produces flowers that are yellowish-green colored. The flowers are produced in racemes that hang down like a cluster of grapes. Each flower has five petals that are deeply divided into four lobes.