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Should I plant a Paulownia tree?

sinescumariussinescumarius Posts: 2
in Plants
Hi there! I was mesmerised by some photos of the empress tree in bloom so I bought a couple of seedlings for the future ‘woodlandy’ area of my garden. However, I subsequently done a bit more research and I found out that the tree is considered a weed in some parts of the world so I’m now a bit apprehensive about planting it in the ground. I have quite a bit of space as we’re sat on about 1.3 acres of land. I’ve been looking for more local info on the tree, but I can’t seem to find any reliable information from the UK. I’ve checked a few reputable websites such as gardeners world and RHS, and whilst they all give plenty of info, none of them mention any weed/invasive issues. Does anyone have any experience with the tree in the UK? Could it be that the climate here makes the plant less troublesome than in other parts of the world? Do/did you have one planted in your garden? I would really appreciate any advice based on your experience. Thank you!

Posts

  • Silver surferSilver surfer Posts: 4,719
    edited June 2021
    Welcome to the forums.
    Paulownia tomentosa....Fabulous tree.
    We grew one when in South Wales.
    In USA it is considered a pest but here in UK it is fine.
    However it needs warmth to set the flowers.
    So is you lived say in Scotland it might never flower.
    Perthshire. SCOTLAND .
  • punkdocpunkdoc Posts: 15,039
    I think a lot of people grow them for the foliage rather than the flowers. By cutting them back hard every year, their leaves develop enormous proportions, but they don't flower.
    How can you lie there and think of England
    When you don't even know who's in the team

    S.Yorkshire/Derbyshire border
  • Silver surferSilver surfer Posts: 4,719
    punkdoc said:
    I think a lot of people grow them for the foliage rather than the flowers. By cutting them back hard every year, their leaves develop enormous proportions, but they don't flower.
    see.....

    https://www.gardenersworld.com/plants/paulownia-tomentosa/
    Perthshire. SCOTLAND .
  • fidgetbonesfidgetbones Posts: 17,618
    Kew have a Paulownia fargesii which not only flowers but sets viable seed.  I grew some from a pod I picked up, but the frost killed the young plant here in the East Midlands.
  • bertrand-mabelbertrand-mabel Posts: 2,697
    We do both.
    We cut back the stems in April and the new growths produce the huge lovely leaves that are very great to touch.
    Another one is left to grow so that is produces the lovely flowers.
    A great tree to have in your garden.

  • sinescumariussinescumarius Posts: 2
    Thanks all for your thoughts. Will certainly give it a try! 😊
  • WilderbeastWilderbeast Posts: 1,415
    Go for we have 2 in our tropical area for the huge leaves. We did find that they were rather tender in the 1st winter planted out so I'd protect them, after that the just romp away. We spoke to the gardeners at Newby Hall in North Yorkshire as they have them in there tropical area too and they didn't mention any problems at all.
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