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Paulownia fortunei Fast Blue ('Minfast')
  • RHS AGM

paulownia [Fast Blue]

A fast-growing tree with a pyramidal habit reaching to 8m tall. Large, ovate to heart-shaped leaves have hairy undersides and are up to 20cm across. Upright panicles of fragrant, funnel-shaped flowers are borne in spring and are lilac-blue outside and creamy-white inside with a yellow throat

Synonyms
Paulownia fortunei 'Minfast'
Paulownia tomentosa 'Fast Blue'
see morePaulownia fortunei 'Fast Blue'

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Size
Ultimate height
4–8 metres
Time to ultimate height
10–20 years
Ultimate spread
4–8 metres
Growing conditions
Chalk
Clay
Loam
Sand
Moisture
Well–drained
pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Colour & scent
StemFlowerFoliageFruit
Spring Blue Purple Cream White Green
Summer Green
Autumn Green
Winter
Position
  • Full sun
Aspect

West–facing or East–facing or South–facing

Exposure
Sheltered
Hardiness
H5
Botanical details
Family
Paulowniaceae
Native to the UK
No
Foliage
Deciduous
Habit
Columnar upright
Genus

Paulownia are deciduous trees with large, ovate leaves and erect panicles of foxglove-like flowers in spring; they can also be coppiced for extra-large leaves at expense of flowers

Name status

Trade

How to grow

Cultivation

Grow in a fertile, well drained soil in full sun. Protect flower buds and young growth of small plants from hard frosts by growing in a sheltered position. Grow for foliage effect only by cutting back young shoots hard in spring which results in production of very large leaves up to 60cm across

Propagation

Propagate by root cuttings

Suggested planting locations and garden types
  • Cottage and informal garden
  • Flower borders and beds
Pruning

Pruning group 1 or Pruning group 7 for foliage effect

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

May be susceptible to honey fungus

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