About
Catalpa speciosa is a robust tree characterized by its broad, heart-shaped foliage. In July, it produces large white flowers marked with purple spots, though these blooms are not abundant. After flowering, the tree develops elongated, slender seedpods.
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
- West-facing, East-facing, South-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
- Native to
- C & E USA
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 or pruning group 7 if pollarding
- Propagation
- Propagate by softwood cuttings or grafting
- Pest resistance
- Generally pest-free
- Disease resistance
- May be susceptible to verticillium wilt and rarely, honey fungus