Paulownia CATALPIFOLIA or KAWAKAMII

Paulownia CATALPIFOLIA or KAWAKAMII

CATALPIFLORA

• Scientific name : Paulownia catalpifolia T. Gong ex D.Y. Hong. 

• Common name : Imperial tree (in some French-speaking catalogs) 

• Origin : Shandong Province (China) 

• Adult height : About 15 to 20 m depending on conditions. 

• Leaves : Large heart-shaped or almost cordate leaves, sometimes narrower than in other species of the genus.

• Flowering : Tubular flowers, pale violet to lavender, in clusters in spring before or with the appearance of foliage. 

• Soil & exposure : Preferably full sun, well-drained, fertile soil.

• Hardiness / cold tolerance : Able to tolerate down to about -20 °C or a little more in some cases. 

• Uses : Ornamental tree, also cultivated for its wood (industrial use in some parts of China) 

Strengths

• Fairly fast growth, good visual impact thanks to large leaves and flowering.

• Strong ornamental interest for a garden or park.

• Light wood but valued in certain industrial uses.

To watch

• Despite its hardiness, it appreciates good shelter from strong winds, especially when young (large leaves can be vulnerable).

• Well-drained soil essential to avoid stagnation.

• As with any fast-growing tree, provide sufficient space for development.

KAWAKAMII

• Scientific name : Paulownia kawakamii T.Itô. 

• Common name : “Sapphire Dragon Tree”. 

• Origin : China (provinces such as Fujian, Guangdong, etc.), Taiwan. 

• Adult size : About 8 to 12 m tall in gardens, spreading crown. 

• Foliage : “Cordate” (heart-shaped) to slightly oval, shiny leaves. 

• Flowering : In spring, before or at the same time as leaf emergence, panicles of tubular mauve/lilac flowers. 

• Soil & Exposure : Full sun or partial shade, well-drained soil. Tolerant of a wide range of soils. 

• Hardiness / climate : Approximately USDA zones 7b-8 according to some sources. 

• Use : Ornamental tree for its decorative foliage and flowering, suitable for gardens. 

✔️ Advantages

• Remarkable flowering, rare among trees in temperate climates.

• Decorative foliage, tree with strong visual presence.

• Fairly fast growth for an ornamental tree.

⚠️ To watch

• Hardy but not as much as some more resistant species – in very cold climates protection or sheltered location choice will be necessary.

• As with many Paulownias, space required for its development.