#26
Accession Number: 0026-0000
Common Name: Empress Tree
Latin Name: Paulownia tomentosa
Family: Paulowniaceae (Paulownia Family)
Native Range: Central and western China
Height: 30–40 feet
Spread: 30–40 feet
Bloom Time: April
Bloom Description: Pinkish-lavender
USDA Hardiness Zone: 5
Light Preference: Full sun
Water Needs: Dry to medium
Notes: Works well as a shade tree, a flowering tree, to naturalize; fruit is showy; tolerates drought, air pollution
Description: The Empress Tree, also called Princess Tree and Royal Paulownia, is native to China. It is fast-growing and most appreciated for its spikes of lavender purple tubular flowers with an aroma reminiscent of vanilla. Introduced into the US in the 1800s, it has since escaped cultivation and naturalized in many eastern areas of the country. Flowers are followed by oval, sticky, green seed capsules that turn brown in fall and release many winged seeds. It has no fall color.
