Catalpa bignonioides 'Aurea'
(Golden Indian Bean Tree)
Family - Bignoniaceae
Category - Tree
Year of Introduction - First described in 1877
Season of Interest - Spring, Summer
Hardiness - H6
Height - up to 10m if left unpruned
Width - up to 10m if left unpruned
Location - The Hot Garden
Description: A medium-sized Deciduous tree with a broad, spreading crown. Large ovate to heart-shaped leaves emerge bronze in spring then turn golden yellow, and will then gradually fade to bright greenish-yellow by midsummer. Bell-shaped flowers are white with purple and orange markings towards the centres. The Blooms are held in upright panicles and are produced from mid to late summer. The flowers are followed by long, bean-like seed pods. Attractive to pollinating insects.
Award of Garden Merit (AGM).
Flower:
White, bell-shaped flowers with orange and purple markings are produced in upright panicles in July and August and are followed by long seed pods. Flowers tend not to be produced on young plants, or on specimens that are pollarded.
Flower colour: White
Flower shape: Bell-shaped flowers in panicles
Flowering time: July, August
Foliage:
Large, Cordate or broadly ovate velvety foliage. The young leaves emerge bronze, turn golden yellow and fade to bright greenish-yellow with age. The leaves are held in opposite pairs on the branches.
Foliage Senescence: Deciduous
Foliage Shape: Cordate to ovate
Propagation:
Cuttings or grafting.
Cultivation:
Best in full sun in fertile, moisture-retentive soil. Will benefit from a sheltered position to protect the large leaves from wind damage.