Catalpa x erubescens 'PURPUREA'

Do you like a tall tree but are afraid it would be too big for your small garden? Well, if you have enough will to prune it every one or two years you can always control its size provided it is not an ash type tree growing about 1 m every year. Thus you can enhance the look of your garden with something extraordinary such as this beautiful catalpa.

Purpurea catalpa has large, nearly tropically looking leaves with an interesting scent that allegedly repels insects. They are deep burgundy red when young and dark green with purple veins during the season. In some locations the deep burgundy colour remains on the whole tree throughout the season. The lyre-shaped leaves are different to other catalpas as they have two more lobes.

Blossoms are formed in upright clusters on purple stalks, they are white with purple spotting and yellow-orange tongues. Seeds are hidden in cigar-shaped, nearly black pods, hanging on the tree until winter.

Just one thing has to be observed: summer mildew. When the weather is warm and wet, usually beginning of summer, the leaves may be affected by mildew infection which is manifested by small grayish white spots that quickly spread throughout the entire leaf. Once you see the spots treat the leaves with a fungicide (with copper content). Otherwise the leaves will remain covered with the mildew film until the autumn.

It grows medium fast or fast. Shrub forms look best as they form its natural wide umbrella shape from the ground. Catalpas benefit from pruning every spring (March/April) to enjoy vigorous foliage from the ground.

Catalpas are not too picky about pH or soil type. However, they will respond well to good, well-drained soil. Our catalpas performed exceptionally well even on clay and withstood temporary water-logging. They do not suffer from air-pollution and adverse conditions. Fully hardy to approx. -28°C (USDA zone 5).

Last update 11-01-2009