Paulownia Princess Tree

Also known as the Empress Tree, Royal Paulownia, Powton, or Foxglove Tree, the Paulownia Princess Tree is a fast-growing deciduous tree renowned for its striking appearance and highly valued timber. With its large, heart-shaped green leaves covered in a soft, velvety texture, and a stunning Spring display of fragrant, tubular flowers in shades of purple to blue, this tree makes a spectacular statement in any landscape. The showy blossoms appear in abundance before the foliage emerges, creating a dramatic effect that rivals even the Jacaranda in beauty.

Highly prized in its native China for its lightweight, easy-to-work timber and rapid growth, Paulownia also thrives in many parts of Australia. It quickly develops into a large shade tree with a broad, spreading canopy—providing excellent Summer shade while allowing light to filter through in Winter, thanks to its deciduous nature.

Paulownia is both drought tolerant and frost hardy, making it suitable for a variety of climates. It prefers a well-drained soil and performs best in an open, sunny position, away from buildings and structures, to accommodate its mature size and broad canopy. Due to its potential to reach considerable height and spread, it is best suited to larger gardens, rural plantings, or open landscape areas.

Note: Paulownia produces seed that can remain viable in the soil for many years, and in some regions it has shown invasive tendencies. For this reason, it should not be planted near bushland or sensitive natural ecosystems.

**Please note: Our grower advises that these plants may experience dieback—often right down to the base—after being lifted for sale. This is a normal response and not a cause for concern. Simply trim away any dead material. Once potted up or planted out, the plant will re-shoot from above the roots and continue growing with no impact on its final shape or overall health.