Botanical Name: Catalpa x erubescens 'Purpurea'
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Common Name: Purple Catalpa  
Plant photo of: Catalpa x erubescens 'Purpurea'
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Water Saving Tip:

Replace turf with groundcovers, trees, and shrubs. If you have areas where no one uses the grass, patches that do not grow well, or a turf area too small to water without runoff, consider replacing the turf with water-efficient landscaping.

  • Anatomy

  • Culture

  • Design

Plant Type

Tree

 

Height Range

25-40'

 

Flower Color

White

 

Flower Season

Spring

 

Leaf Color

Green, Purple

 

Bark Color

Brown, Grey

 

Fruit Color

Black, Brown

 

Fruit Season

Winter, Fall, Persistent

Sun

Full, Half

 

Water

Medium, High

 

Growth Rate

Fast, Moderate

 

Soil Type

Sandy, Clay, Loam, Rocky, Unparticular

 

Soil Condition

Average, Rich, Poor, Well-drained, Moist, Dry

 

Soil pH

Neutral

 

Adverse Factors

n/a

Design Styles

Mediterranean, Ranch, Spanish, Woodland

 

Accenting Features

Showy Flowers

 

Seasonal Interest

Spring, Fall

 

Location Uses

Background, Lawn

 

Special Uses

Shade Tree

 

Attracts Wildlife

n/a

Information by: Stephanie Duer
Photographer:

  • Description

  • Notes

Purple Catalpa has large, heart-shaped leaves that emerge purple in the spring, maturing to dark green. In the late spring and early summer months, large clusters of fragrant, trumpet-shaped flowers, white with purple freckles. Long, slender pods follow flowers. Grows 30 to 40 feet tall and 20 to 30 feet wide.
Hardy to USDA Zone 5, so may not be a dependable choice for the upper bench areas. As with other Catalpas, it is tolerant of of different soil conditions but prefers deep, fertile soil; withstands wet or dry soils and alkaline conditions. Full to part sun. Does best if planted where it is sheltered from strong winds.