Purple Catalpa

The Purple Catalpa (Catalpa x erubescens ‘Purpurea’) is medium-sized flowering ornamental tree. It has an appealing ovate form and is most known for its very large leaves that emerge as a bold dark purple in the spring before transitioning to a dark green for the summer. The younger leaves retain their purple color further into the summer. Also noteworthy are its lovely flowers unique to the catalpa species. They come on in late spring after most of its leaves have turned green, showing off their white color with yellow and purple-dotted interior.

The Purple Catalpa is a hybrid of the Southern Catalpa (Catalpa bignonioides) and the Chinese Catalpa (Catalpa ovata). It is still disputed to where it originated, but most believe it first appeared in France around 1866. The cultivar ‘Purpurea’ is the most common of the hybrid and known for its early purple leaves in the spring. This tree is a great choice for a park or yard and can compliment most landscapes nicely with its satisfying form and brilliant ornamental features in the spring. It does best in full to partial sun and can withstand a variety of soil types. It is also considered drought tolerant once established.