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Re: [SG] Chinese Empress tree

Kathy--

I have seen one of these magnificent trees, on the IU campus in
Bloomington years ago. It was cut down for another parking lot---the way
of the world. I believe they are related to Catalpas. They have the same
big leaves and showy orchid-like fls. (purple in the Paulownia and white
in the Catalpa), except the catalpa is at least a native. Paulownia
tomentosa is the botanical name. Michael Dirr's HARDY TREES AND SHRUBS
calls it a "total loser" and says it has few redeeming qualities in the
home landscape. They escaped from cultivation decades ago (from China
originally, as you might have guessed) and Dirr says they do have some use
in reclaiming stripmined areas. He clearly has a soft spot for it,
nonetheless. As do I. I wish I knew where there was another one I could
go and admire--

Bobbi Diehl
Bloomington, IN
zone 5/6

Kathy wrote:
> >P.S. I have in my garden,  a prized Chinese Empress tree that I nursed
> >along from a 4" seedling.  Do you or any of the other members know
> >anything about this wonderful plant?  It sports lovely pendulous clusters
> >of lavender flowers in April and HUGE hairy heart-shaped leaves the rest
> >of the year. It is not native to here--I first saw it in Delaware.  My
> >tree is now well over 7' tall and still thriving. WOW!
> >
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