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Catalpa × erubescens 'Purpurea'
  • RHS AGM

purple hybrid catalpa

A medium-sized deciduous tree. Young shoots and opening leaves blackish-purple, the leaves later dark green. Flowers 3cm, white with orange and purple markings, in large open panicle

Other common names
hybrid catalpa 'Purpurea'
Synonyms
Catalpa bignonioides 'Purpurea'
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Size
Ultimate height
Higher than 12 metres
Time to ultimate height
20–50 years
Ultimate spread
Wider than 8 metres
Growing conditions
Chalk
Loam
Sand
Moisture
Moist but well–drained
pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Colour & scent
StemFlowerFoliageFruit
Spring Purple
Summer Orange Purple White Green
Autumn
Winter
Position
  • Full sun
Aspect

East–facing or South–facing or North–facing or West–facing

Exposure
Sheltered
Hardiness
H6
Botanical details
Family
Bignoniaceae
Native to the UK
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

Accepted

How to grow

Cultivation

Grow in a moist but well-drained, fertile soil in a sunny position. Shelter from strong winds as these may shred the large leaves. Protect from late spring frosts when young

Propagation

Propagate by softwood cuttings or grafting

Suggested planting locations and garden types
  • Architectural
Pruning

Pruning group 1, or pruning group 7 when grown as a stooled shrub for foliage effect

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

May be susceptible to verticillium wilt

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