Paulownia fortunei
Paulownia fortunei
Safety & Hazards
None known
Cultivation Details
Paulownia fortunei is a moderately cold-hardy plant, though it needs to grow in areas with long hot summers in order to fully develop its hardiness. In such regions it is able to tolerate temperatures down to around -20°c when fully dormant, though in areas with cooler summers it can be damaged by considerably less cold conditions. Young plants are also much more susceptible to cold than more mature specimens, whilst the spring growth and flowering of plants of all ages can be damaged by late frosts[1, 2]. The plant can be found from the warm temperate zone of southern China, just entering into the tropics in Vietnam and Laos, and is also sometimes cultivated in tropical areas. Paulownia species generally grow best in an open, sunny position in a deep. moderately fertile, moist but well-drained soil[1]. All the species in this genus produce attractive spring displays of sweetly-scented flowers and can be grown as ornamentals[1]. Branches tend to be brittle and the large leaves are liable to wind-burn, so it is best to site trees in a position that is sheltered from strong winds[1]. A fast-growing species[1].
Propagation
Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in a cold frame[1]. Sow stored seed in late winter in a greenhouse at 15 - 20°c[3]. The seed requires light for germination[1]. Fair to good germination. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse for their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts. Cuttings of half-ripe wood, 5 - 8cm with a heel, mid summer in a frame. Overwinter in a cold frame for its first year and plant out in late spring[1]. Root cuttings 4cm long in December. Good percentage[3]. Cite as: Temperate Plants Database, Ken Fern. temperate.theferns.info. 2026-02-21. <temperate.theferns.info/plant/Paulownia+fortunei>
Pollinators
Insects
References
- [1]The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. — Huxley. A. · MacMillan Press · 1992 · ISBN 0-333-47494-5 ↩︎Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.
- [2]New Trees — Grimshaw J.; Bayton R.; Wilks H. · Kew Publishing; London · 2009 · ISBN 1842461737 ↩︎Provides comprehensive botanical descriptions and horticultural commentary on over 800 tree species that have been introduced to cultivation in recent decades.
- [3]Propagation of Trees, Shrubs and Conifers. — Sheat. W. G. · MacMillan and Co · 1948 · ISBN - ↩︎A bit dated but a good book on propagation techniques with specific details for a wide range of plants.
- [4]Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Vol 1 - 4 and Supplement. — Bean. W. · Murray · 1981 · ISBN - ↩︎A classic with a wealth of information on the plants, but poor on pictures.
- [5]Flora of China — Missouri Botanical Garden Press; St. Louis. · 1994 · http://flora.huh.harvard.edu/china/ ↩︎An excellent, comprehensive resource in 25 volumes. In addition to the botanical information the flora also gives basic information on habitat and some uses. An on-line version is also available.
- [6]Plant Resources of Southeast Asia — http://proseanet.org/ ↩︎Lots of information on the uses of the plants of SE Asia.