catalpa
Catalpa speciosa
USDA zones4 to 8
SunHandles full sun to partial shade
WaterHandles dry to wet soil
Size40 to 70 feet tall20 to 50 feet wide
- Growth rate
- Moderate
- Bloom season
- Spring, summer, autumn
- Bloom color
- White with purple and yellow interior spotting
- Foliage color
- Dark green.
- Soil types
- Sand, loam, clay, chalk
- Soil pH
- Acid, alkaline, neutral
Garden uses
Attracts
Notes
Catalpa (Catalpa speciosa) is a tree for pollinator gardens and rain gardens. It is hardy to USDA zone 4, or down to -30°F (-34°C). This plant likes full sun to part shade and dry to wet soil of most types. Large white flowers with purple and yellow spots grow in upright clusters, and long seedpods hang on through winter. It is not a favorite of deer, though hungry deer will eat almost anything. Expect plenty of litter from flowers, leaves, and pods.
Pairs well with Pin oak, Big bluestem, and Blue wild indigo.
Native range
United States.