Paulownia tomentosa seeds Royal Empress Tree Seeds
LATIN NAME: Paulownia tomentosa
COMMON NAME: Princess Tree, Empress Tree, Foxglove Tree
The empress tree is one of the fastest-growing trees on earth, and its spring display is breathtaking. It is a handsome, deciduous tree that can gain several metres of height in a single year, with a broad, open crown of huge, velvety, heart-shaped leaves, and in early spring, before the leaves, it covers itself in tall, upright clusters of large, fragrant, foxglove-like flowers in a soft violet-blue. The effect is magnificent, a haze of violet bloom on the bare branches. It is a tree of extraordinary vigour, loved for its beauty and its astonishing growth, and the lightweight, strong wood is prized for many uses.
The empress tree belongs to its own family, Paulowniaceae, and it is native to central and eastern China and the Korean Peninsula. It has been planted around the world for timber, shade and ornament, and in some places, particularly the eastern United States, it has naturalised widely.
Positive & Encouraging Seed Germination Guide
Growing an empress tree from seed is easy and gives astonishing results. The seeds sit inside the woody capsules that follow the flowers, and they are tiny and numerous, germinating readily in warm, light conditions. Sow them on the surface of pots of seed compost, press them in gently, and keep them warm, bright and lightly moist, since they need light to germinate. Germination usually begins within two to four weeks. Pot the seedlings on as they grow and plant them out in full sun and reasonably good soil. The young trees grow at an astonishing rate, and within a few years you will have a tree in flower.
Scientific Research & Plant Biotechnology
The empress tree has a rich and varied record in research. Because it is one of the fastest-growing trees in the world, it has been studied extensively in forestry research for its growth, its timber and its potential as a crop for rapid timber production, and the strong, lightweight wood is valued for furniture, boxes and veneer. At the same time, in North America the species has become invasive in some areas, and researchers have studied its spread and its control, making it a case study in invasion biology. In recent years, it has also been studied for its potential in biomass and biofuel production, because of its extraordinary growth. For a tree of such vigour and such a mixed reputation, the empress tree has a fascinating record of research.
Ecological & Economic Value & Wide Applications
Ecologically, the 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.
Its economic value is considerable. The strong, lightweight wood is used for furniture, boxes, veneer and musical instruments, and the tree is grown for timber, shade and ornament around the world, while its astonishing growth makes it valuable in research on biomass and fast timber crops. For a grower, the empress tree is a tree of remarkable speed and value, and for a gardener it brings a spectacular spring bloom and a tree that grows before your eyes.
Royal Empress Tree, Paulownia tomentosa, Seeds
Fast Growth, Hardy, Easy to Grow, Fragrant Flowering Tree, Heat Tolerant, Shade Tree, Timber
Empress Trees grow in a variety of conditions. They grow in almost any soil, needing little water plus they resist pests and disease. With a rapid growth rate, the Empress tree can reach 50 feet in height with an equal spread in an open landscape. Most trees are seen 30 to 40 feet tall and wide. Unlike some fast growing trees that have short life spans, a healthy Empress tree can live for 80 to 100 years.
Empress Trees are noted for its profuse bloom of fragrant, tubular, funnel-shaped, pinkish-lavender flowers (to 2” long) with interior dark purple spotting and creamy yellow striping. Flowers appear in spring in clusters (to 14” long) before the foliage so they stand out nicely, especially against an evergreen background. Flower aroma is reminiscent of vanilla. Flowers are edible and are sometimes added to salads. Flowers are followed by oval, woody, dehiscent seed capsules that emerge sticky green and ripen to brown in fall, at which point they split open releasing abundant winged seeds. This native of China gives a most dramatic, coarse-textured appearance, with its huge catalpa-like heart-shaped leaves and large clusters of lavender flowers in the spring.
Traditionally, when Japanese couples have a daughter, they plant a Paulownia tree. When the daughter is ready to marry, they cut down the tree and make a dowry chest, furniture and other items out of it for wedding gifts.
Paulownia trees are believed to bring Good Fortune to the household and all who enter.
Common Names: Royal Paulownia, Princess Tree, Foxglove Tree, Sapphire Dragon, Kawakami, Kiri Tree, Rattlebox Tree, Sapphire Princess
Growth rate: Very Fast
Plant Type: Flowering Tree
Family: Scrophulariaceae
Height: 30 to 40 feet
Spread: 30 to 40 feet
Bloom Color: Pinkish-lavender
Flower/Fruit: Clusters of fragrant, tubular, funnel-shaped, pinkish-lavender flowers.
Fall Color: None
Sun: Full sun
Crown uniformity: irregular outline or silhouette
Crown shape: round; vase shape
Crown density: moderate
Drought tolerance: moderate
Water: Dry to medium
Maintenance: Medium
Uses: Beautiful specimen flowering tree for lawns and gardens.