Catalpa speciosa

RHS Plant Profile
catawba

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catawba RHS
catawba RHS

Other common names

bois chavanon, cigar tree, early-flowering catalpa, hardy catalpa, northern catalpa, shawnee wood, western catalpa, Indian cigar

Synonyms

Catalpa cordifolia

Trees
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A tall, spreading tree with large, heart-shaped leaves. Large purple-spotted, white flowers sparsely borne in July, followed by long, slender seedpods

Position

Full sun

Soil Types

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

Position

Full sun
Aspect
West–facing or East–facing or South–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
Plant Range
C & E USA

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow in a moist but well-drained, fertile soil in a sunny position; will tolerate a heavy clay soil. 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 if pollarding

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

May be susceptible to verticillium wilt and rarely, honey fungus