Paulownia tomentosa

An exquisite medium-size tree, 8-15 m tall and wide, fast-growing, broad crown, umbrella-shaped when old, usually with crooked and short stem, initially extremely tall and wide, 100-200 cm long yearly shoots, later only up to 50 cm.

A luxurious sea of flowers in 20-40 cm long, purple-blue to purple-violet panicles; flowers buds spend the winter naked, only protected by the rust-red tomentose covering, individual flowers are trumpets, yellow perianth; before leaves shoot in April, fragrant.

Hundreds of sticky, ovoid brownish capsules with tiny, poppy-like seeds; persisting for several years when empty and rustling and clacking in the wind.

Cordate, some more than 50 cm across, somewhat sticky, green; velvety-hairy, no autumn colours or an inconspicuous yellow, leaves on sprouts are like elephant?s ears, very conspicuous.

Deep roots, fleshy root system, not sensitive.

Only full sun, not tolerant of shade, tolerates heat, needs warmth, not ripening sufficiently in autumn in cool places; not very frost hardy, only in favoured areas; tolerant of urban and industrial pollution, needs wind protection.

Very dry to moist; slightly acidic to very alkaline.

Zone 7b