TreesPaulownia tomentosa
Princess Tree
The Princess Tree is a spectacular tree that flowers lavishly in April and May with purple-blue, trumpet-shaped blooms before the leaves unfurl. The enormous, heart-shaped leaves can reach 40 centimetres across, giving the tree a tropical look. Princess Tree grows extremely fast and can add more than two metres per year in good conditions.
Characteristics
- Sun
- Full sun
- Water
- Medium
- Height
- 600–1500 cm
- Spread
- 500–1000 cm
- Hardiness zone
- 5–9
- Family
- Paulowniaceae
- Evergreen
- No
- Flower colors
- purple
- Wildlife value
- bees, butterflies
Bloom period
Care guide
Plant in full sun in well-drained soil. Princess Tree tolerates most soil types and urban conditions. Flower buds form in autumn and can freeze in severe cold — plant in a sheltered spot. Water young trees regularly.
Pruning tips
Prune in winter to remove dead wood. For spectacularly large foliage, coppice the tree annually to ground level — it will shoot up with enormous leaves but will not flower. Leave the tree to grow for blooms.
Good companions
TreesCercis siliquastrum
Judas Tree
The Judas tree is a spectacular small tree that bears bright pink flowers directly on the bare branches and even the trunk in April and May — a rare phenomenon called cauliflory. After flowering, heart-shaped blue-green leaves appear, giving the tree a Mediterranean character. The Judas tree slowly develops into a graceful, multi-stemmed specimen.
TreesMagnolia stellata
Star Magnolia
Star Magnolia is a compact small tree or large shrub that becomes smothered in star-shaped white to pale pink flowers in March and April, before the leaves emerge. The blooms have a soft, sweet fragrance. Its compact size makes this magnolia suitable even for smaller gardens and front yards.
TreesAlbizia julibrissin
Silk Tree
The Silk Tree is an exotic presence with a broad, umbrella-shaped crown and finely divided, fern-like foliage. From June to August, striking, fluffy pink flowers appear that look like silken tassels. The tree brings a Mediterranean atmosphere to the garden and attracts butterflies and bees. The leaves fold together at dusk.