Paulownia tomentosa
Paulownia tomentosa
Empress Tree
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Taxonomy
Family Paulowniaceae · Genus Paulownia
Description
Paulownia tomentosa, the empress or princess tree, is a lightning-fast grower with huge leaves and dazzling, fragrant lavender blossoms in spring. Tough and adaptable, it thrives in sun and poor soils, but can self-seed freely—plant responsibly.
Common Names
Empress TreePrincess TreeRoyal PaulowniaFoxglove Tree
Context
nativeRegion
Central and western China.
usdaZones
5-9
companionPlants
Narcissus (daffodils), Crocus, Vinca minor, Miscanthus, Hemerocallis (daylily), Echinacea
culturalUses
Lightweight timber valued for instruments (e.g., koto), boxes, and furniture; traditional plantings in East Asia; nectar source for pollinators.
Care
Care Requirements
LightFull sun for best flowering; tolerates light partial sun.
WateringKeep evenly moist the first 1–2 years; once established, water deeply but infrequently—drought tolerant thereafter.
SoilWell-drained soil is essential; tolerates poor, sandy, or alkaline soils. Avoid heavy, waterlogged clay.
FertilizerLight feeding in early spring with a balanced or slightly nitrogen-lean fertilizer; not usually necessary in fertile soils. Use higher nitrogen only if pollarding for giant leaves.
HumidityAdaptable to low–moderate humidity; no special requirements.
TemperatureHardy in USDA 5–9. Young shoots can be nipped by late frosts; protect new growth in spring if possible.
Growth & Life Cycle
HabitDeciduous, broad-crowned tree with large leaves and upright flower panicles.
Mature Size30–50 ft tall, 20–40 ft wide (occasionally larger in ideal conditions).
Growth RateVery fast growth, especially when young (up to 10–15 ft per year in optimal conditions).
BloomingLate spring; fragrant, foxglove-like lavender flowers on previous year’s wood, often before leaf-out.
DormancyWinter deciduous dormancy.
Propagation
MethodsSeed, Root cuttings, Hardwood cuttings, Tissue culture
DifficultyEasy from seed; moderate from cuttings.
Best SeasonSow seed in spring; take root and hardwood cuttings in late winter to early spring.
Maintenance & Notes
PruningPrune after flowering or in late winter to shape and remove crossing wood. Remove suckers. For ornamental giant leaves, hard-prune (pollard) annually, but this sacrifices flowers.
RepottingFor container-grown juveniles, shift up one size each spring until planted out. Not typically maintained long-term in pots due to vigor.
Pests & DiseasesGenerally resilient. Possible issues: powdery mildew, leaf spot, cankers, verticillium wilt, root rot in wet soils; insects may include spider mites and borers. Can self-seed aggressively and is invasive in some regions—deadhead pods where regulated.
ToxicityGenerally considered non-toxic to humans and pets; not for consumption.
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