Princess Tree
Paulownia tomentosa
Also listed as Paulownia imperialis, Bignonia tomentosa
Also known as Empress Tree, Foxglove Tree, Chinese Empress Tree
Climate Match for your location
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A deciduous tree prized for its large heart-shaped leaves and fragrant purple-pink flowers that appear in spring before the foliage emerges. Grows rapidly and makes a striking ornamental specimen, though it can self-seed prolifically.
Why grow it
Princess tree offers rapid early growth and substantial foliar mass, making it useful for quick screening or temporary shade in settings where fast establishment is valued. Its spring flowers appear before leaf-out, providing early-season ornamental interest. Compared to slower-growing shade trees, it reaches useful size in a few seasons, though this speed comes with the trade-off of generally shorter lifespan and weaker wood.
Watch out for
Branches are brittle and prone to storm damage, particularly in windy sites. Growth is indeterminate and can become leggy without early structural pruning. The tree flowers prolifically but inconsistently year to year depending on winter severity and spring timing.
Overview
- Form
- Growth Rate
- Size
- Dormancy
- Family
- Paulowniaceae
Native Range
Central China
Seasonality
Bloom Season
Season of Interest
Notable Cultivars
'Sapphire Dragon' is a sterile cultivar bred to prevent seed production and invasiveness while retaining ornamental flowers. 'Foxglove Tree' refers to the wild type, valued for its rapid growth and timber production.
Canopy
The tallest trees that form the overstory.
Succession Role
Tolerances & Soil
Flood Tolerance
pH Range
Soil Texture
Establishment & Care
- Establishment
- Maintenance
- Propagation
A deciduous tree prized for its large heart-shaped leaves and fragrant purple-pink flowers that appear in spring before the foliage emerges. Grows rapidly and makes a striking ornamental specimen, though it can self-seed prolifically.
Climate Match for your location
See how well Princess Tree grows in your area.
Enter your ZIP code and we'll show you how this plant fits your local climate.
Why grow it
Princess tree offers rapid early growth and substantial foliar mass, making it useful for quick screening or temporary shade in settings where fast establishment is valued. Its spring flowers appear before leaf-out, providing early-season ornamental interest. Compared to slower-growing shade trees, it reaches useful size in a few seasons, though this speed comes with the trade-off of generally shorter lifespan and weaker wood.
Watch out for
Branches are brittle and prone to storm damage, particularly in windy sites. Growth is indeterminate and can become leggy without early structural pruning. The tree flowers prolifically but inconsistently year to year depending on winter severity and spring timing.
Overview
- Form
- Growth Rate
- Size
- Dormancy
- Family
- Paulowniaceae
Native Range
Central China
Seasonality
Bloom Season
Season of Interest
Canopy
The tallest trees that form the overstory.
Succession Role
Tolerances & Soil
Flood Tolerance
pH Range
Soil Texture
Establishment & Care
- Establishment
- Maintenance
- Propagation
Similar canopy trees you might consider:
Enter your ZIP code to see top native species and strong climate fits for you.
Companion Planting
Plants well with
Notable Cultivars
'Sapphire Dragon' is a sterile cultivar bred to prevent seed production and invasiveness while retaining ornamental flowers. 'Foxglove Tree' refers to the wild type, valued for its rapid growth and timber production.