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Trees

Paulownia tomentosa 'Hulsdonk'

A fast-growing large deciduous tree to over 20m. It has large heart-shaped green leaves with a furry texture. Golden brown flower buds are produced in autumn and then open the following spring, before the leaves open. Flowers are large clusters of mauve bells with a sweet smell.

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Ultimate height

Higher than 12 metres

Time to ultimate height

20–50 years

Ultimate spread

Wider than 8 metres

Chalk

Clay

Loam

Sand

Moisture

Moist but well–drained

pH

Acid, Alkaline, Neutral

	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Full sun
Partial shade

Aspect

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

Exposure

Sheltered

Hardiness
Hardiness ratings
All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets
H1a: under glass all year (>15C)
H1b: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
H1c: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20)

Botanical details

Family: Paulowniaceae
Native to GB / Ireland: No
Foliage: Deciduous
Habit: Spreading branched, Columnar upright
Genus: Paulownia are deciduous trees with large, ovate leaves and erect panicles of foxglove-like flowers in spring; they can also be coppiced for extra-large leaves at expense of flowers
Name status: Accepted

How to grow

Cultivation

Grow in moist, fertile soil. Protect young trees from frost. Very tolerant of atmospheric pollution. For more advice see tree cultivation

Propagation

Propagate by seed - although easy it will not come true to variety. For the actual variety, root cutting is most successful.

Suggested planting locations and garden types

Architectural
Flower borders and beds

Pruning

Pruning group 1 or suitable for pollarding in late winter

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

May be susceptible to honey fungus

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