Catalpa speciosa
Common name: Catalpa
Catalpa is one of the few large trees that actually puts on one heck of a flower display in late May. At a distance, it may look like the tree is covered in pure white blossoms, but on closer inspection you will see the spectacular yellow streaks and purple spots that line the throat. One of the fastest growing plants we carry. I planted a couple in my yard that were seeds in 1988 and are now 60 feet tall! Catalpa like full sun and have shown adaptability to almost any site and soil condition, even though it is native to southern Illinois. Once used as fence posts by pioneers because the wood rots very slowly.
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Plant Details
Plant type
Trees
Soil type
Dry Mesic, Mesic (Not too Wet Not too Dry), Moist Mesic
Light exposure
Eastern Exposure / Morning Sun, Full Sun
Bloom period
Late Spring
Urban environment
Uncompacted Urban Soils, Harsh Exposure Tolerant, Compacted/New Construction Soils, Road-side/Salt Tolerant
Habitat
Prairie Grasslands, Savannas, Woodlands
Growth form
Single trunk
Growth rate
Fast
Flower color
White
Fall color
Yellow
Size
- Mature height
- 40 Feet
- Mature width
- 30 Feet
- Max height
- 70 Feet
- Max width
- 60 Feet
Additional information
Butterfly host plant Great for Screening/Border Plantings Great Shade Tree