Foxglove Tree
Paulownia tomentosa
A fast-growing deciduous tree featuring very large, heart-shaped (cordate) leaves with soft, hairy undersides and upright stems in its early stages.
- Light
- Full sun, requiring at least 6 hours of direct sunlight daily for optimal growth.
- Water
- Moderate watering needs. Water deeply when the top few inches of soil become dry. Once established, it develops moderate drought tolerance.
- Growth
- Perennial deciduous tree with an exceptionally fast growth rate. Can reach mature heights of 30 to 50 feet with a broad, spreading canopy.
Care instructions
Provide full sun and well-draining soil. Water regularly while establishing to encourage deep root growth, and apply a balanced fertilizer during the active growing season.
Growing details
Sunlight
Full sun, requiring at least 6 hours of direct sunlight daily for optimal growth.
Watering
Moderate watering needs. Water deeply when the top few inches of soil become dry. Once established, it develops moderate drought tolerance.
Soil
Prefers loamy, well-draining soils with a neutral to slightly acidic pH range of 6.0 to 7.0, though it adapts to a wide range of soil conditions.
Hardiness zone
USDA zones 5 through 9, demonstrating good cold tolerance in winter and thriving in warm summers.
Growth habit
Perennial deciduous tree with an exceptionally fast growth rate. Can reach mature heights of 30 to 50 feet with a broad, spreading canopy.
Bloom season
Spring. Produces large, upright panicles of fragrant, tubular, pale violet-to-purple flowers before the new leaves fully emerge.
Propagation
Propagated easily through root cuttings, stem cuttings, or seeds sown in moist, well-draining soil during the spring.
Common pests & issues
Generally resilient, but can occasionally be susceptible to leaf spot, powdery mildew, and root rot if kept in excessively waterlogged soil.
Similar species
Catalpa (Catalpa bignonioides), which also has large heart-shaped leaves, but can be distinguished by its long bean-like seed pods and whorled leaf arrangement.