Catalpa speciosa
$699.99
Catalpa speciosa is a broad deciduous shade tree with huge green leaves, spotted white spring flowers, and an irregular spreading crown.
- Description
- Additional information
Description
Large leaves and upright panicles of spotted white flowers give Catalpa speciosa a bold presence as a shade tree. Purple and yellow markings brighten the bell-shaped blooms from late spring into early summer, followed by long seed capsules and yellowing foliage in autumn.
The tree develops an irregular crown that may be rounded, pyramidal, or spreading, so it needs generous room away from structures and boundaries. It grows in full sun or partial shade and accepts acid, neutral, or alkaline chalk, clay, loam, or sand, with fertile, moist, well-drained soil supporting the strongest growth.
Seasonal wetness and some drought are tolerated, but regular watering during establishment remains useful. Apply organic mulch clear of the trunk and fertilize only when a soil test identifies a deficiency. Shelter the brittle branches and large leaves from strong wind. Prune lightly while dormant; pollard only when maintaining an established pollarded form.
The flowers support pollinators, and the tree hosts native moth caterpillars that provide food for birds and bats. Fallen flowers and seed capsules can create litter.
Additional information
| Height | 1220 cm – 2135 cm |
|---|---|
| Spread | 610 cm – 1525 cm |
| Flowering months | May, June |
| Synonyms | Catalpa bignonioides var. speciosa, Catalpa cordifolia |
| Family | Bignoniaceae |
| Propagation | Propagate by seed, softwood cuttings, root cuttings, or grafting. |
| Pests | Catalpa sphinx moth larvae may feed heavily on the foliage. |
| Diseases | Verticillium wilt, leaf spots, mildew, twig blight, and honey fungus may occur. |
| Pruning | Prune lightly while dormant; pollard only when maintaining an established pollarded form. |
| Hazardous | no |
| Variegated | unknown |
| Watering instructions | Maintain moist, well-drained soil, especially during establishment. |
| Sunlight instructions | Grow in full sun or partial shade with shelter from strong wind. |
| Color flower spring | Purple, White, Yellow |
| Color flower summer | Purple, White, Yellow |
| Aspect | East, South, West |
| Foliage | Deciduous |
| Habit | Bushy |
| Moisture | Wet or Damp Soil, Moist but Well Drained |
| Ph | Acid, Alkaline, Neutral |
| Position | Full sun, Partial shade |
| Shape | Round, Spreading, Pyramidal |
| Suggest planting location | Pollinator Garden, Architectural planting, Rain Garden |
| Type | Tree |
| Use for | Architectural, Bird-Friendly, Pollinator-Friendly |
| Years to max height | 20 |
| Drought resistance | moderate |
| Cultivation | |
| Soil | Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand |
| Local names | Northern Catalpa, Western Catalpa, Cigar Tree, Catawba, Hardy Catalpa, Indian Bean Tree, Indian Cigar, Shawnee Wood, Early-Flowering Catalpa |
| Blomidon Item No | CATSP050WB, CATSP070WB, CATSP20015G, CATSP25010G |
| Usps | Spotted white flower panicles create a bold late-spring display., Huge green leaves form a broad canopy for generous summer shade. |