Paulownia or ‘Empress’ or ‘foxglove’ tree 5 litre – Ready Autumn 2025

These little darlings are the next batch of seed we have sowed early in 2025.  These youngsters will be ready for sale by the Autumn.  I have recently seen the original tree we planted in Canterbury all those years ago and it is still growing very strongly with leaves getting bigger all the time, it can now be pollarded once a year in February.  It is very different and dramatic, and when it flowers it is stunning.

Many years ago a fellow plantaholic gave me some “Empress Tree” seeds. I duly sowed them and have produced a beautiful batch of these wondrous plants. We do not normally grow trees, but having seen them in bloom, we just couldn’t resist. They are also called the Foxglove tree, producing extraordinary flowers in May, of pale mauve foxglove flowers.

It arrived in Britain in 1840 and was named after Anna Paulownia, the daughter of the Empress of Russia.

This is a very fast growing deciduous tree, fully hardy and originally from China (where else) Our older chaps in 10 litre pots have all sold now.

Full sun. Any free draining soil in a sheltered position.

Keep young trees protected from frost, once established its problem free.

Height 8-12 metres over 20 years.