Princess tree, Royal Paulownia

Sun Exposure: Full sun

Origin: China

Growth Habits: Small to medium-sized deciduous tree, relatively short-lived, 30 to 60 feet tall (9-18 m); rough, gray-brown bark with interlaced shiny, smooth areas, and shallow fissures; large, broadly oval to heart-shaped leaves, 5 to 12 inches long (12-30 cm), occasionally shallowly three-lobed, velvety green above, with fuzzy undersides

Watering Needs: Some water in summer

Propagation: Seeds, root sprouts

Princess tree (Paulownia tomentosa), U.S.D.A. Forest Service Collection, Courtesy of the Hunt Institute

The Princess Tree is an invasive species, it is considered a noxious weed in several states.

Blooming Habits:
Conspicuous, large upright clusters of showy, pale violet, fragrant flowers, 1.4 to 2 inches long (3.5-5 cm), in the spring.

Fruiting Habits:
Green capsule, loosely boat shaped, turning dry brown when ripe, 1 to 1.6 inches long (2.5-4 cm) with four compartments that may contain several thousand tiny winged seeds