Catalpa speciosa ~ Northern Catalpa

Catalpa speciosa looks tropical through the Spring and Summer and grows quickly. The Northern Catalpa has beautiful white flowers with white and purple markings in the Spring. Catalpa speciosa turns a nice shade of yellow as the leaves turn in the Fall. The Northern Catalpa prefers regular water and good soil but performs remarkably well in far less sublime conditions. The large leaves and eventual seed pods are often a bit of a chore to clean up. With its large leaves and branching structure Catalpa speciosa provides haven for birds when weather is amiss. Catalpa speciosa is a sizable tree, potentially growing 46-60 feet tall and wide, though in a drought stressed landscape the Northern Catalpa is often smaller. Catalpa speciosa is native to the middle part of the Missisippi but has been become one of the most planted trees nationwide. The wood has been favored by wood turners and carvers. Catalpa speciosa is Winter hardy to below anaything we are likely to see in California exceping the mountaintops.