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CATALPA bignonioides
Commonly known as Indian bean tree, Southern catalpa
White flowers with yellow and purple markings
Further Reading....
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DeciduousLarge, mid-green leaves, heart-shaped at the base, to 25cm (10in) long.
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WhiteWith yellow and purple-brown markings
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Height15m (49ft)
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Spread15m (49ft)
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TreeSpreading habit. Flowers are followed by slender pods to 40cm (16in) long
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Hardy - very cold winterHardy in all of UK and northern Europe. Plant can possibly withstand temperatures down to -20°C (-4°F)
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Full sunShelter from strong winds, and young plants from severe frosts.
CATALPA bignonioides
- Details
- Mature Size
- Tips and Advice
- Goes Well With
- Planting Combinations
- Other Suggestions
- See Also...
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Additional FeaturesGood to knowWildlife plant - nectar and pollen for insects. Named after the American indian tribe, Catawba and mistakenly recorded as CatalpaPests & DiseasesNone.Place of originSoutheastern USA.Resistant to honey fungusThese plants have little or few problems with honey fungus.
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Flower ShapePaniclesUpright panicles 20-30cm (8-12in) long
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HardinessFully hardy
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Leaf marginEntire
(see photos above) -
Leaf shapeOvate
(see photos above) -
Pruning groupPruning group 1Suitable for: Deciduous and evergreen trees, and some deciduous shrubs.
Pruning: Minimal pruning required. Prune wayward or crossing branches to maintain a healthy framework.
When: When dormant in the late winter/early spring. Some in the summer/autumn to prevent bleeding of sap.
RHS group 1 -
Seasonal InterestAutumnSummer
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Soil ConditionsFertile moist well-drained soil
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Tree ShapeRounded to broadly spreading
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WildlifeBee friendly
Jan
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Catalpa - Growing Guide
- Growing Catalpa
- Tidying damage on Catalpa - Video Tip ondemand_video
- Catalpa duclouxii - Video Tip ondemand_video
Trees - Care Guide
- How to plant a tree - Video Tip ondemand_video
- How to plant a tree
- Ties - Video Tip ondemand_video
- Restaking fallen young trees - Video Tip ondemand_video
- Fallen old tree - Video Tip ondemand_video
- Clearing up fallen beech tree - Video Tip ondemand_video
- Spring pruning - Video Tip ondemand_video
- Removing side shoots - Video Tip ondemand_video
- Pruning and Shaping Magnolia - Video Tip ondemand_video
- Deer protection - Video Tip ondemand_video
- Weed Spraying - Video Tip ondemand_video
- Removing Ivy - Video Tip ondemand_video
- Removing wire protection - Video Tip ondemand_video
- Tree Survey - Video Tip ondemand_video
- Crown uplift - Video Tip ondemand_video
- Removing shoots below graft - Video Tip ondemand_video
- Removing peeling bark - Video Tip ondemand_video
- Maintaining variegation - Video Tip ondemand_video
15m (49ft)
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15m (49ft) |
Buy Varieties of CATALPA bignonioides


CATALPA bignonioides 'Aurea'
Golden-leafed catalpa, Indian bean tree
bright gold foliage
Useful extras...

Fertilisers & Feeds - Vitax
Q4 Pelleted Fertiliser
A useful fertiliser suitable for use on a wide variety of plants. Q4 provides all the nutrients and trace elements essential for vigorous growth, abundant flowering and ripening of fruit.
3 options from £6.00

Fertilisers & Feeds - Empathy
Rootgrow mycorrhizal fungi
Recommended by the RHS. Contains Rootgrow™ mycorrhizal fungi. Suitable for all trees and shrubs (except rhododendrons, azaleas, heathers, cranberries and blueberries)
2 options from £6.00

Fertilisers & Feeds - Empathy
All-purpose Seaweed Stimulant
All-purpose organic concentrated seaweed feed that is a ready to use, derived from sustainable harvested kelp, that can be used on all outdoor and indoor plants, except acid loving plants.
Perfect used in conjunction with Rootgrow™.
Only £7.50

Garden Goodies
Slate Plant Labels
These wonderfully tactile natural slate plant labels are hand made in Cornwall and come with a chalk pen.
Just stick them in your pot or border. Pack of 6.
Only £10.20

Garden Goodies
Slate Tie-on Plant Labels
Hand made in Cornwall, these delightful natural slate labels are perfect for pots.
Comes with chalk pen. Pack of 5
Only £10.20