Catalpa × erubescens 'Purpurea'
purple hybrid catalpa
A spreading, deciduous tree to about 15m in height. Young shoots and opening leaves are blackish-purple, the leaves later dark green. Flowers to 5cm across, white with orange and purple markings, in large open panicles, in mid and late summer followed by slender pods to 40cm long
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Size
Ultimate height
Higher than 12 metresTime to ultimate height
20–50 yearsUltimate spread
Wider than 8 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Moist but well–drainedpH
Acid, Alkaline, NeutralColour & scent
| Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
| Spring | Purple | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | Orange Purple White | Green | ||
| Autumn | ||||
| Winter |
Position
- Full sun
Aspect
East–facing or South–facing or North–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Sheltered Hardiness
H6Botanical 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. Shelter from strong winds as these may shred the large leaves. Protect from late spring frosts when young
Propagation
Suggested planting locations and garden types
- Architectural
- Cottage and informal garden
Pruning
Pruning group 1, or pruning group 7 when grown as a stooled shrub for foliage effect
Pests
Generally pest-free
Diseases
May be susceptible to verticillium wilt
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