Paulownia catalpifolia

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A fast-growing deciduous tree to about 15m with long heart-shaped green leaves. Its flowers develop in autumn and spend the winter as fuzzy golden brown buds. They open just before the leaves in spring in large clusters of pale mauve, tubular fragrant flowers which then become brown woody seed capsules

Position

Full sun, Partial shade

Soil Types

Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand

Max Height

Higher than 12 metres

Max Spread

4-8 metres

Size

Time to Maturity
20–50 years
Max Spread
4-8 metres
Max Height
Higher than 12 metres

Growing Conditions

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

Position

Full sun Partial shade
Aspect
East–facing or North–facing or 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)
H5

Colour & Scent

Season Stem Flower Foliage Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family
Paulowniaceae
Native to GB/Ireland
No
Foliage
Deciduous
Habit
Spreading branched, 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
Correct
Plant Range
China (Shandong)

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow in any moist, fertile soil with some shelter. Protect young trees from frost. It does best in areas with warm summers which perversley, makes it more frost tolerant. Very tolerant of atmospheric pollution. For more advice see tree cultivation

Propagation

Propagate by seed. Seed germinates best if exposed to light. For more advice see propagate from seed (tree/shrub. Seedlings must be protected from frost. Alternatively, propagate by semi-ripe cuttings

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • Architectural

Pruning

Pruning group 1 or pruning group 7 if pollarding to encourage very large leaves

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

May be susceptible to honey fungus