Paulownia or Foxglove Tree
Also known as the Foxglove tree due to the flowers which emerge looking just like those of the foxglove plant.
Planting a Paulownia tree brings rapid beauty and environmental benefits to your garden, making it a unique and valuable addition
Where to site your Paulownia
- Ornamental Feature: A show-stopping specimen tree in larger gardens.
- Shade Provider: Its large canopy makes it perfect for creating shaded areas.
- Pollarding/Coppicing: Ideal for wood production or maintaining a smaller growth form.
- Wildlife Support: Beneficial for bees and other pollinators.
Paulownia can grow up to 6 meters in its first few years and reach heights of 15–20 meters at maturity, making it a dramatic addition to the landscape.
How to grow and look after your Paulownia
Paulownia is highly adaptive trees.
Plant in a sunny spot for optimal flowering and growth. Paulownia thrives in full sun. Prefers well-drained, fertile soil but is adaptable to a range of soil types, from loamy to sandy, with a neutral to slightly alkaline pH.
Prune in late winter or early spring to remove dead or damaged branches and maintain the desired shape. For a pollarded or coppiced look, cut the tree back to the base in early spring to encourage vigorous new growth
Apply a balanced, slow-release fertilizer in spring to support rapid growth and enhance flower production.
In China, there is a tradition to plant one of these when a girl is born, the fast-growing tree matures when she does and when she is eligible for marriage the tree is cut down and carved into wooden articles for her dowry.