About
Catalpa bignonioides 'Aurea' is a medium-sized deciduous tree that features a broad, spreading canopy. Its leaves are large, ovate, and vibrant golden-yellow, reaching lengths of up to 30 cm, transitioning to pale yellow-green or green as summer progresses. In the summer, the tree produces bell-shaped white flowers adorned with orange and purple markings, which appear in conical clusters. These flowers give way to elongated, slender seed pods that resemble beans.
About the genus
Catalpa are broad-spreading deciduous trees characterized by their large, attractive leaves and upright clusters of bell-shaped flowers that appear in late summer. After flowering, they produce elongated, slender seed pods that remain on the tree.
Growing conditions
- Sunlight
- Full sun
- Soil type
- Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
- Soil pH
- Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
- Soil moisture
- Moist but well-drained
- Aspect
- South-facing, North-facing, West-facing, East-facing
- Exposure
- Sheltered
- UK hardiness
- H6
Plant details
- Plant type
- Trees
- Habit
- Spreading branched
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Height
- Higher than 12 metres
- Spread
- wider than 8 metres
- Time to full height
- 20-50 years
- Suggested uses
- Architectural, Cottage and informal garden, Wildlife gardens
Care notes
- 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
- Pruning
- Pruning group 1. Carry out pollarding or coppicing late winter or early spring to produce larger leaves
- Propagation
- Propagate by seed, softwood cuttings or grafting
- Pest resistance
- Generally pest-free
- Disease resistance
- May be susceptible to verticillium wilt and rarely, honey fungus