Catalpa × erubescens 'Purpurea'

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purple hybrid catalpa

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purple hybrid catalpa RHS 2002

Other common names

hybrid catalpa 'Purpurea'

Synonyms

Catalpa bignonioides 'Purpurea'

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Trees
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A spreading, deciduous tree to about 15m in height. Young shoots and opening leaves are blackish-purple, the leaves later dark green. Flowers to 5cm across, white with orange and purple markings, in large open panicles, in mid and late summer followed by slender pods to 40cm long

Position

Full sun

Soil Types

Chalk, Loam, Sand

Max Height

Higher than 12 metres

Max Spread

wider than 8 metres

Size

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

Growing Conditions

Chalk Loam Sand
Moisture
Moist but well–drained
pH
Acid or Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full sun
Aspect
East–facing or South–facing or North–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
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
  • Cottage and informal garden

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