Description
Paulownia Tomentosa … Common names ; princess tree, empress tree, or foxglove-tree … Extremely fast growing deciduous tree , with large heads of purple fox glove-like flowers in Spring and enormous beautiful round leaves 30cm plus across in Spring , Summer into Autumn ... This tree can reach 10-12 metres at incredible speed … In its native China , custom to plant an Empress Tree when a baby girl is born ... The fast-growing tree matures as she does ... When she is eligible for marriage the tree is cut down , and carved into wooden articles for her dowry … Carving the wood of Paulownia is an art form in Japan and China ... In legend, it is said that the Phoenix will only land on the Empress Tree and only when a good ruler is in power ... In my experience the tree will outgrow your daughter , in a fraction of the time prescribed although what a lovely folklore tradition … Endemic to central and western China … Family: Paulowniaceae
In Winter, the tree is deciduous and the leaves turn a yellow-brown before they fall.
Height 10m. Width 8m.
Drought tolerant and Frost hardy
Full sun/Part Shade.