Habitats.

Part thirteen the beauty of limes.

As far back as the roman times, the tall, stately lime tree was planted for its shade and sweet scent diffused by its flowers. Avenues of lime graced the formal gardens of Louis XIV in France and Charles II in England. Afterwards, lime avenues took their place in landscaped gardens of the great landowners. Many of these trees are now reaching the end of their lives, and need to be replaced by young trees. One lime, the silver lime, is particularly resident to heat, drought and pollution, so does well as a street tree where there is space for it to grow. Various species of lime flower at different times, giving bees a continuous supply of nectar for much of the summer. The flowers of large-leaved lime open in June and July, hanging from long, pale green, leaf like bracts.