Usually the foxglove tree, Paulownia tomentosa gets highlighted in the summer due to its fast growth rate and ability to produce really large leaves after being stooled in the spring. Occasionally it gets a moment of glory too in late winter till early spring when they get a chance to show off their foxglove like blooms (hence the name), which only happens if the buds don't get frosted away first.
Not a tree that is usually featured in the autumn but Loree of Danger Garden who hosts the Favourite Plant of the Week meme has named this as her favourite this week. Rightfully so as her specimen has performed really well and is still looking great at the moment.
Ours however is very much doing its autumn thing already, going deciduous and shedding its leaves all over. After reading Loree's blog though it made me appreciate this plant for the same reasons she has mentioned, especially with regards to the speed of its growth.
And speedy it is for the relatively large tree that we have now towering over our garden was grown from seed and planted out as a small seedling only seven years ago.
Our intention at first was to stool it to get those massive leaves in the summer but left to grow as normal the leaves they produce are reasonably big already so we just let it be. We may not get the gigantic summer leaves but what we have now is a rather handsome tree.
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| Stool almost to the ground in spring and let one bud get going and it will produce gigantic leaves. This one at Don's garden |
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| Paulownia kawakamii can be stooled too |
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| Sticky leaves! |
Mark :-)
This gardening blog follows our journey as we create our Tropical and Exotic themed garden. We hope you'll enjoy the journey as much as we do. We started our Exotic Garden in 2005 and this site will show its development, as well as our travels, both abroad and within the UK to gardens, nurseries and friends.
Between you and Loree, we're getting a well-rounded view of this impressive tree.
ReplyDeleteThanks to her as well Ricki for giving me the idea to feature it too :)
DeleteIt's wonderful but too thirsty for me at present, unfortunately.
ReplyDeleteAhh but lots of nice alternatives for you there Kris, although perhaps with leaves not as big but even more beautiful!
DeleteAs I've already posted on Loree's blog, Paulownia tomentosa is a terribly invasive pest in the eastern USA. They are attractive trees (I love the flowers) and the enormous juvenile foliage is impressive, but each tree produces millions of tiny winged seeds every year, that can travel great distances and sprout up in nearly anywhere. I have even seen one growing "parasitically" 20 feet up in the crotch of a ginkgo tree!
ReplyDeleteInteresting to hear John, perhaps the colder winters keeps it in check. Another tree that sprung to mind that is ornamental and behaved here but invasive in parts of the US is the mulberry tree, B. papyrifera.
DeleteOh, this other Paulownia is new to me. I like it too, especially if leaves have a better feeling when touched.
ReplyDeleteIt's a nice alternative Lisa, for something a bit different :)
DeleteIt is a fine tree, really dramatic. I have learned to be wary of fast growing plants that one has to keep in check through regular pruning! Life - or more accurately poor health - has a nasty habit of getting in the way and I suddenly find myself requiring a tree surgeon, so I shall limit myself to admiring them from a safe distance. Not sure about sticky leaves...
ReplyDeleteFunny enough Janet Silver Birch, Eucalyptus, and Leylandii also sprang to mind while I was making this post...
DeleteI'm so happy you guys decided to share your paulownias! You know I had zero inclination to let mine become an actual tree until seeing these images of yours (which I have no memory of seeing in your garden, I must have been too busy looking down at all the ground level plants) it's gorgeous!
ReplyDeleteIt's a good candidate to let grow as a tree the one you planted Loree. I don't think it will get very tall and the crown isn't too dense, still letting light filter through it similar to big leafed Magnolias (Clifford!). Think about it, and if you do change your mind you can always coppice it back or stool all the way :)
DeleteGlad that you featured this plant as your favorite as well! I have two of them in my parking strip and I enjoy them very much!
ReplyDeleteIt's a fine choice for a parking strip Peter! Fast growing enough for the canopy to be above cars in no time at all :)
DeleteBig question - are they tender ? It is all I ever seem to ask you !!
ReplyDeleteHi Jane, a resounding yes which is great news :) even on its first year as a batch from seed we left them all out in the winter and all re sprouted back as normal in the spring.
DeleteEven grown for one season, they're impressive. I saw one in the walled garden at Capel Manor in my first year there - didn't know what it was until a plant ident revealed all, and then, come autumn, it was gone. Capel don't let it become a tree but it still reaches over 15 ft in one season! They planted it next to a ricinus communus which made a pretty staggering sight together!
ReplyDeleteI haven't thought of that combination before Caro, paulownia and ricinus. Just read on wiki that this is apparently the fastest growing tree :)
DeleteVery attractive and it's impressive that it grows so quickly. Wonder how it would go in very hot sun?
ReplyDeleteI wonder myself Amy, if the leaves won't go crinkly in areas with hot summers...
DeleteWhat great specimens guys. They do make such fantastic trees. We stool ours but Mum alllows hers to grow freely although the frost always gets at those flower buds first.
ReplyDeleteWe've had a few times when we got the chance to see it bloom but yes most years the flowers buds are frosted away. Might do the stool treatment on the other Paulownia Paul :)
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