If you have space for this stunning medium-sized deciduous tree, it’s worth popping in your digital basket. Fabulous as a centerpiece, the large, glossy, heart-shaped leaves, initially deep-purple fading to green, offer plentiful shade in the hot summer sun. It also has beautiful white flowers with orange and purple markings followed by long seed pods. If you don’t have space, if coppiced, it can be grown as a much smaller specimen, with whopping leaves!
How to care for Catalpa × erubescens Purpurea:
Take care to position 'Purpurea' in a sheltered area, away from strong winds. Protect young plants from frost in very cold weather since unripened wood is susceptible to frost damage. Requires minimal pruning. Remove any broken, diseased or crossing branches in late autumn or winter. When planting incorporate lots of well-rotted garden compost in the planting hole and stake firmly.
Eventual height:
12m
Eventual spread:
8m
Soil:
Moderately fertile, moist, well-drained soil
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This tree is deciduous so it will lose all its leaves in autumn, then fresh new foliage appears again each spring.