About
Its flowers develop in autumn and spend the winter as fuzzy golden brown buds. A fast-growing deciduous tree to about 15m with long heart-shaped green leaves. They open just before the leaves in spring in large clusters of pale mauve, tubular scented flowers which then become brown woody seed capsules.
About the 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
Growing conditions
SunlightFull sun, Partial shade
Soil typeChalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pHAcid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil moistureMoist but well-drained, Well-drained
AspectEast-facing, North-facing, South-facing, West-facing
ExposureSheltered
UK hardinessH5
Plant details
Plant typeTrees
HabitSpreading branched, Columnar upright
FoliageDeciduous
HeightHigher than 12 metres
Spread4-8 metres
Time to full height20-50 years
Suggested usesArchitectural
Native toChina (Shandong)
Care notes
CultivationGrow 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
PruningPruning group 1 or pruning group 7 if pollarding to encourage very large leaves
PropagationPropagate 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
Pest resistanceGenerally pest-free
Disease resistanceMay be susceptible to honey fungus