Paulownia
Paulownia tomentosa
Huge leaves that tear in wind and flower buds that frost takes — worth the gamble only in a sheltered, sunny spot.
Light Nothing short of full sun will do.
Water Once established it copes with drought unaided.
Height 10 m
Spread 26 ft 3 in
Spacing 800 cm
Spacing & sowing
- Plant spacing
- 26 ft 3 in
- In-row spacing
- 26 ft 3 in
- Between rows
- 32 ft 10 in
- Square-foot density
- Not suited to SFG
Growing
- Type
- Tree · Perennial
- Botanical family
- Mixed / other
- Sunlight
- Nothing short of full sun will do.
- Watering
- Once established it copes with drought unaided.
- Feeding
- On fertile soil it rarely needs feeding at all.
- Frost tolerant
- Yes
- Flowering
- April
- Pruning
- Prune late in winter, while it is still fully dormant.
- Overwintering
- Takes -15 C once established.
Through the year
- Apr–Apr Flowering
- Apr–Oct Bud Break
- Oct–Dec Leaf Fall
- Jan–Apr Leaf Fall
Companions
Hostas, Ferns, Brunnera, Hellebores
Pests & problems
- Honey fungus Honey fungus at the roots
- Virus diseases Paulownia witches' broom virus
- Frost damage Frost damage to the flower buds
- Wind damage to those large leaves
The Cottage Garden Companion — the gardener's herbarium at cottagegardencompanion.com