Southern Catalpa Catalpa bignonioides
Other Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- kah-TAL-pah big-non-ee-OY-deez
- Description
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The medium sized, flowering deciduous tree Catalpa bignonioides is a relatively easily grown shade tree that prefers moderate soils but is tolerant of both wet and dry conditions. It prefers being grown in full sun to part shade and has an irregular shape once grown.
This tree has an irregular shape and blooms with white flowers that are about an inch and a half in width in early summer. It is a very long-lived tree and after this initial flowering seed pods are produced which droop from the branches in a unique, string-like display.
This plant does not have many problems with diseases however it may be susceptible to verticillium wilt, leaf spots, mildew, and anthracnose blight. Additionally, caterpillars of the catalpa sphinx moth feed on and cause damage to its foliage.
Some negative aspects of this tree are that the irregular shape may not fit with the landscape, seemingly having randomly spreading and crooked branches which can be off-putting. In addition, the foliage is unpleasantly fragrant when damaged.
Note that this tree also flowers later than C. speciosa and retains more of a purple color.
Form: Short, thick trunk; broadly rounded with an irregular crown
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: No serious problems. Catalpa sphinx moth caterpillars can do significant damage. Mildew, twig blight, verticillium wilt, and leaf spots are occasional problems. Leaves can become damaged and look ratty from wind or hail.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- 'Aurea'
- 'Nana'
- 'Variegata'
- var. purpurea
- 'Aurea'
- 'Aurea', 'Nana', 'Variegata', var. purpurea
- Tags:















- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- 'Aurea'
- 'Nana'
- 'Variegata'
- var. purpurea
- 'Aurea'
- 'Aurea', 'Nana', 'Variegata', var. purpurea
- Tags:
-
-
Attributes:
- Genus:
- Catalpa
- Species:
- bignonioides
- Family:
- Bignoniaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Woody
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- E. Texas to S. Georgia
- Dimensions:
- Height: 30 ft. 0 in. - 60 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 20 ft. 0 in. - 40 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Native Plant
- Tree
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Habit/Form:
- Rounded
- Growth Rate:
- Rapid
- Texture:
- Coarse
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 5a, 5b, 6b, 6a, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9b, 9a
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Purple/Lavender
- White
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Panicle
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Summer
- Flower Size:
- > 6 inches
- Flower Description:
- flowers later than C. speciosa and has more purple color, 6-12 in. panicle of white, bell-shaped flowers with two rows and ridges of yellow spots and numerous purple spots in early summer.
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Opposite
- Whorled
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Description:
- Large, heartshaped slightly pubecent, 4-8 in. whorled or opposite, simple leaf; has an unpleasant odor when crushed; no significant fall color.
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Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Description:
- crooked branches
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Landscape:
- Design Feature:
- Shade Tree