Paulownia tomentosa Seeds | Royal Empress Tree
LATIN NAME: Paulownia tomentosa
COMMON NAME: Royal Paulownia, Empress Tree, Princess Tree
Plant Profile
Royal Paulownia (Paulownia tomentosa) is a fast-growing, deciduous tree in the paulownia family (Scrophulariaceae), native to warm hills of China, while it is grown for its magnificent flowers, its fine timber. Royal paulownia is empress tree of garden, and its huge, violet-blue flowers and its astonishing speed of growth have made it one of the most talked-about of the trees of the world. Given room and time, it reaches roughly Twenty metres. Its open flowers are a reliable stop for bees and other pollinating visitors. Plants that offer this much while asking this little are rare enough to treasure.
Science & Biotechnology
Research touching on Paulownia tomentosa ranges from the botany of the paulownia family to practical horticulture, including seed handling, propagation and the selection of superior forms. Empress tree has a rich and varied record in research. Gardeners benefit directly from its long cultivation: what the plant will do in a garden is well understood.
Uses & Benefits
Gardeners value Royal Paulownia for its ornamental character, and the plant also fits naturally into herb, vegetable and cutting gardens. Ecologically, empress tree is a generous tree in its native range. Its early flowers feed bees and other pollinators when little else is in bloom, its large leaves give shade and shelter, and its fast growth helps to restore disturbed ground. Strong, lightweight wood is used for furniture, boxes, veneer and musical instruments, and tree is grown for timber, shade and ornament around world, while its astonishing growth makes it valuable in research on biomass and fast timber crops. Establishment is uncomplicated, and afterwards ordinary care suffices.
Paulownia is the fastest-growing quality timber tree, its light wood prized for furniture and instruments, its flowers a folk cough remedy in China, and its carbon capture a reforestation asset.
Growing from Seed
Raising Royal Paulownia from seed is straightforward. Growing an empress tree from seed is easy and gives astonishing results. Seeds sit inside woody capsules that follow flowers, and they are tiny and numerous, doing well in warm, light conditions. Sow the seeds evenly over the surface and cover lightly in a loose, well-drained seed compost, keep the sowing evenly moist, and give the pot or tray full sun. Prick the seedlings out once they are large enough to handle, grow them on in bright light, and plant out when conditions allow.
Our Take
It forms a fast-growing, deciduous tree, which makes spacing and siting straightforward. Beginners will find it patient of imperfect technique.
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