How to grow Empress Tree

Paulownia tomentosa

For the tree to flower, buds must be protected from late spring frosts. Alternatively, the tree can be pollarded at 30cm and allowed to grow annually from this height, producing huge leaves and up to 3m of growth each season. Young plants are suceptable to frost and will not tolerate less than -10C. Protect from wind

Growing Empress tree from seed

Use a good quickly draining seed compost and only lightly cover the seed. Do not exclude light as this aids germination. Germination can take up to 60 days

Soil temperature should be kept higher than 18°C / 64°F to ensure good germination.

Transplanting Empress tree

Transplant the seedlings when large enough to handle into 7cm pots. Grow on in a cold frame and plant out the following spring in full sun on moist but well drained soil

Ensure that temperatures are mild and all chance of frost has passed before planting out, as Empress tree is a hardy plant.

How long does Empress tree take to grow?

These estimates for how long Empress tree takes to sprout, grow and harvest are from real observations from real gardeners, right around the world.

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Empress tree Etymology

It is said that the tree gets its name from its native China where only an empress could have one on her grave

Other names for Empress tree

Princesstree, Royal empress tree, Fox glove tree

Paulownia tomentosa (Thunb.) Siebold & Zucc. ex Steud.

Footnotes


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