Western Catalpa

Catalpa speciosa

kuh-TAL-puh spee-see-OH-suh
up to 50 ft.
35 ft.
Add To Favorite Plants
 

low

white

June

up to 50 ft.

35 ft.

No

southern Illinois to Arkansas

sun

USDA zones 4-8

hardy to 6,500 ft.

Western catalpa is a large shade tree with an open, irregular crown. It is grown for its clusters of white, fragrant flowers and enormous heart-shaped leaves.

In June, the long, showy panicles of bell-shaped flowers appear - white speckled with yellow and purple. The flowers develop into thin seedpods. Its bark is reddish-brown or grey and its leaves turn yellow in fall. 

Western catalpa works best at lower elevations in the Colorado Springs area. It provides dense shade and has particularly fragrant flowers. The leaves, however, may suffer from hailstorms and wind damage on exposed sites.

low

white

June

up to 50 ft.

35 ft.

No

southern Illinois to Arkansas

sun

USDA zones 4-8

hardy to 6,500 ft.

If the space is available, Western catalpa can be a good choice for lower elevation areas of Colorado Springs. It provides dense shade and has particularly fragrant flowers. It works best for sites protected from regular wind, since the large leaves tatter easily. 

Prune when young to develop a structurally sound tree. The large seedpods drop from the tree after flowering and need to be raked up.