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Empress Tree

Paulownia Tomentosa

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Overview

The Empress Tree (Paulownia tomentosa), thrives in zones 5-9, and is a rapid-growing, deciduous choice, reaching up to 40-50 ft tall with a spread of 30-40 ft. Known for its large heart-shaped leaves and showy, fragrant lavender blossoms in spring, this tree prefers full sun. It is adaptable but favors well-drained soils. Requires space and light pruning to control its size and avoid self-seeding, as it can become invasive.

Sun FullWater MediumZones 5–8Type Tree
Empress Tree (Paulownia Tomentosa) — lavender flowers in the garden

Culture

Sun
Full
Water
Medium
USDA zones
5–8

Shape & size

Classification

Type
Tree
Family
Paulowniaceae

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Photos (122)

Empress Tree (Paulownia Tomentosa) — showy lavender flowers that blossom in spring; offering a dense canopy that provides ample shade in the summer, image 78
Empress Tree (Paulownia Tomentosa) — often before the heart-shaped leaves unfurl; tree for full, image 79
Empress Tree (Paulownia Tomentosa) — the Empress Tree is an exceptional choice; lavender flowers in the garden, image 85
Empress Tree (Paulownia Tomentosa) — tree for full
Empress Tree (Paulownia Tomentosa) — tree with lavender blooms; showy lavender flowers that blossom in spring
Empress Tree (Paulownia Tomentosa) — This deciduous tree can soar to heights ranging from 30 to 50 feet; the Empress Tree (Paulownia tomentosa), image 98
Empress Tree (Paulownia Tomentosa) — this tree prefers full sun
Empress Tree (Paulownia Tomentosa) — this species prefers moist; it is adaptable but favors well-drained soils
Empress Tree (Paulownia Tomentosa) — Though adaptable to a variety of soil conditions; tree with lavender blooms, image 82
Empress Tree (Paulownia Tomentosa) — showy lavender flowers that blossom in spring; offering a dense canopy that provides ample shade in the summer months
Empress Tree (Paulownia Tomentosa) — offering a dense canopy that provides ample shade in the summer months; with sizes ranging from 5 to 12 inches across
Empress Tree (Paulownia Tomentosa) — offering a dense canopy that provides ample shade in the summer months; with sizes ranging from 5 to 12 inches, image 59
Empress Tree (Paulownia Tomentosa) — tree for full; the Empress Tree is an exceptional choice, image 88
Empress Tree (Paulownia Tomentosa) — this tree prefers full sun; this deciduous tree can soar to heights ranging from 30 to 50 feet, image 71
Empress Tree (Paulownia Tomentosa) — with sizes ranging from 5 to 12 inches across; requires space and light pruning to control its size and avoid, image 58
Empress Tree (Paulownia Tomentosa) — well-drained soils with a pH level between 5.5 and 7.0; often before the heart-shaped leaves unfurl, image 84
Empress Tree (Paulownia Tomentosa) — It is adaptable but favors well-drained soils; this species prefers moist, image 50
Empress Tree (Paulownia Tomentosa) — fragrant lavender blossoms in spring; known for its large heart-shaped leaves and showy, image 70
Empress Tree (Paulownia Tomentosa) — often before the heart-shaped leaves unfurl; tree for full, image 57
Empress Tree (Paulownia Tomentosa) — the Empress Tree is an exceptional choice; lavender flowers in the garden
Empress Tree (Paulownia Tomentosa) — reaching up to 40-50 ft tall with a spread of 30-40 ft; with a widespread canopy extending to 30 to 40 feet at maturity
Empress Tree (Paulownia Tomentosa) — tree with lavender blooms; showy lavender flowers that blossom in spring, image 65
Empress Tree (Paulownia Tomentosa) — Known for its large heart-shaped leaves and showy
Empress Tree (Paulownia Tomentosa) — showy lavender flowers that blossom in spring
Photographs by 14 contributors

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