Catalpa ovata

Synonyms

Catalpa kaempferi
Catalpa henryi
Catalpa bungei misapplied

Trees

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A medium-sized, spreading tree with a rounded crown, reaching up to 10m. Leaves are up to 25cm long, pale green, broadly oval, often three lobed. In mid-to late summer produces large, upright sprays of cream, bell-shaped flowers with orange and purple spots in the throat, followed by long, narrow, hanging, bean-like pods

Position

Full sun

Soil Types

Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand

Max Height

8-12 metres

Max Spread

wider than 8 metres

Size

Time to Maturity: 20–50 years
Max Spread: wider than 8 metres
Max Height: 8-12 metres

Growing Conditions

Chalk Clay Loam Sand

Moisture: Moist but well–drained
pH: Acid or Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full sun

Aspect: South–facing or West–facing
Exposure: Sheltered
Hardiness

Hardiness Ratings

All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

H1A: under glass all year (>15C)
H1B: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
H1C: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20): H6

Colour & Scent

Season	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family: Bignoniaceae
Native to GB/Ireland: No
Foliage: Deciduous
Habit: Spreading branched
Genus: Catalpa are deciduous trees of spreading habit, with handsome, large leaves and erect panicles of showy, bell-shaped flowers in late summer, followed by persistent, slender bean-like seed capsules
Name Status: Correct

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow in moist but well-drained, fertile soil in a sunny position; will tolerate a heavy clay soil, even short-term waterlogging. Shelter from strong winds as these may shred the large leaves. Protect from late spring frosts when young

Propagation

Propagate by seed or softwood cuttings

Suggested planting locations and garden types

Architectural
Cottage and informal garden
Low Maintenance

Pruning

Pruning group 1

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

May be susceptible to verticillium wilt and rarely, honey fungus