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Catalpa bignonioides 'Aurea'
  • RHS AGM
  • RHS Plants for pollinators

golden Indian bean tree

A spreading, medium-sized deciduous tree with large, ovate, golden-yellow leaves up to 30cm long that turn pale yellow-green to green in summer. Bell-shaped white flowers with orange and purple markings are borne in conical clusters in summer and followed by long, slender, bean-like seed pods

Other common names
Indian bean tree 'Aurea'
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Size
Ultimate height
Higher than 12 metres
Time to ultimate height
20–50 years
Ultimate spread
Wider than 8 metres
Growing conditions
Chalk
Clay
Loam
Sand
Moisture
Moist but well–drained
pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Colour & scent
StemFlowerFoliageFruit
Spring Yellow
Summer Orange Purple White Green
Autumn Green Brown
Winter Brown
Position
  • Full sun
Aspect

South–facing or North–facing or West–facing or East–facing

Exposure
Sheltered
Hardiness
H6
Botanical details
Family
Bignoniaceae
Native to GB / Ireland
No
Foliage
Deciduous
Habit
Spreading branched
Genus

Catalpa are deciduous trees of spreading habit, with handsome, large leaves and erect panicles of showy, bell-shaped flowers in late summer, followed by persistent, slender bean-like seed capsules

Name status

Accepted

How to grow

Cultivation

Grow in a moist but well-drained, fertile soil in a sunny position; will tolerate a heavy clay soil. Shelter from strong winds as these may shred the large leaves. Protect from late spring frosts when young

Propagation

Propagate by seed, softwood cuttings or grafting

Suggested planting locations and garden types
  • Architectural
  • Cottage and informal garden
  • Wildlife gardens
  • Low Maintenance
Pruning

Pruning group 1. Carry out pollarding or coppicing late winter or early spring to produce larger leaves

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

May be susceptible to verticillium wilt and rarely, honey fungus

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