About
Upright panicles of scented, funnel-shaped flowers are borne in spring and are lilac-blue outside and creamy-white inside with a yellow throat. A fast-growing tree with a pyramidal habit reaching to 8m tall. Large, ovate to heart-shaped leaves have hairy undersides and are up to 20cm across.
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
Soil typeChalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pHAcid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil moistureWell-drained
AspectWest-facing, East-facing, South-facing
ExposureSheltered
UK hardinessH5
Plant details
Plant typeTrees
HabitColumnar upright
FoliageDeciduous
Height4-8 metres
Spread4-8 metres
Time to full height10-20 years
Suggested usesCottage and informal garden
FragranceFlower
Care notes
CultivationGrow in a fertile, well drained soil in full sun. Protect flower buds and young growth of small plants from hard frosts by growing in a sheltered position. Grow for foliage effect only by cutting back young shoots hard in spring which results in production of very large leaves up to 60cm across
PruningPruning group 1 or Pruning group 7 for foliage effect
PropagationPropagate by root cuttings
Pest resistanceGenerally pest-free
Disease resistanceMay be susceptible to honey fungus