Habitat
native to the midwest United States
hardy to zone 4
Special Note: This species has demonstrated an invasive tendency in Connecticut, meaning it may escape from cultivation and naturalize in minimally managed areas. For more information, Click Here.
Habit and Form
a medium sized deciduous tree
irregular, rounded crown
40′ to 60′ tall and about half as wide
fast growth rate
medium summer texture and coarse winter texture
Summer Foliage
opposite leaf arrangement, whorled towards stem tip
simple, deciduous leaves
6″ to 12″ long and half as wide
heart-shaped to arrowhead-like leaf form
entire leaf margin
kelly green leaf color
Autumn Foliage
yellow-green fall color
Flowers
perfect, white flowers
2″ in diameter
bell-shaped
wavy, petal edges
spotted throat
borne in long panicles (terminal) 4″ to 8″ long
blooms in June
Fruit
long, bean-like capsule
8″ to 20″ long
green
persist
Bark
grayish-brown bark color
bark is ridged and furrowed
stout, smooth, pubescent stems
lenticels
large, circular leaf scars
Culture
transplants readily
soil tolerant
full sun to partial shade
Landscape Use
for winter characteristics
for lawn tree
for park tree
for flowering effect
Liabilities
leaf spots
powdery mildew
twig blight
fruit litter
ID Features
no terminal buds
terminal flower clusters
flowers have distinctly spotted throats
long, bean-like capsule up to 20″
large, circular leaf scars
pubescent stems
opposite leaf arrangement, with whorled tips
Propagation
by seed
by root cuttings
Cultivars/Varieties
none
{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }
Hello,
I am on the South Island of NZ, and this area has been divested of Native Forest for several generations.
I hope to be able to grow out Catalpa Trees, for eventual garden stakes, fence posts, and general utility. Catalpa does exist in NZ, but is impossible to find!
Please advise how I can get Catalpa Seeds in NZ. Thanks very much, and I hope your mission is continuing. Sincerely,
Zachary
I’d gladly send you some, I found a whole bag full in the park, in Utah, USA.