Paulownia tomentosa - All you need to know about

'Did you know...?'
At Green Island Gardens we are creating a series of videos that showcase different aspects of the gardens and give tips to all of you.
In this video Fiona talks about Paulownia tomentosa - Foxglove-tree, and what is the story behind this beautiful fast-growing tree that has been in Green Island Gardens for the last 20 years.
Tips useful both for the experienced gardener and for the gardener that is willing to learn.
We have it available for sale on our nursery.
For more information visit our website:
www.greenislandgardens.co.uk

[@bikesquad1280]

I just found one growing in the wild and its just 1 main stalk just about 6 feet tall and already has bloomed. I uprooted it, took it home and re-planted it. It has a very shallow root base with 1 lateral tap root. Very purple bark and the flowers are white rather than purple. I did see it about a month ago and it was only half the height it is now. Looking forward to growing this tree wherever my permanent home will be!

[@RC-px2vx]

Thank you for this informative video :)

[@mindlessdillan]

Thank you for uploading! I work at a school in the USA and our student parking lot has a handful of these beautiful trees! From a distance, I thought it was weeping wisteria growing amongst the greenery of all the other trees, but as I got closer I said to myself "these share a lot of similarites with Digitalis, or Foxglove!" They feel very velvety and the inside is moist just like a foxglove!! So glad I could identify this tree that's been a beautiful view driving into work Bravo, thank you for the video! 👏👏

[@GreenIslandGardensVideos]

You're welcome, glad you enjoyed 💚

[@kiwiopklompen]

Thanks for that - so helpful. I planted 6 last winter (NZ) and 2 seem to be just dead sticks. They were quite rootbound and although i did everything you’re supposed to do - they still are not coming into leaf. They look dead but hen i scratch the trunk, it’s green. Do you think it’s just asking a long time to establish? (It is quite wet here). Thanks

[@GreenIslandGardensVideos]

@@kiwiopklompen if the stem is green I would hang on… they are quite late into leaf here… mid May earliest so still time for yours to sprout!

[@michaelchippington7784]

This is strange as on my walk today, l saw this tree in bloom & wondered what it was. Now I know. 🌳🌈

[@NervDisturb]

Mine is P. Tementosa stopped growing neither its leaves 🍃 didnt get bigger i did gave it doses of npk montly and humic acid in a weekly bases now its 3 months of just a meter tall 😤 the soil is top tier. Do you recommend cutting it to the ground ? We are in winter rn btw

[@tedscott1478]

Is there anything I could do to get a young, (2 or 3 year old), tree to flower? Or do I just have to wait for nature to take its course? Thank you for a great video🙂

[@GreenIslandGardensVideos]

Patience Im afraid. You can try feeding it in spring and make sure it doesn't dry out during the summer months to try to encourage it. The youngest I have succeeded in getting them to flower is 6 years

[@tedscott1478]

@@GreenIslandGardensVideos okay thanks🙂

[@evangelistangelbowman3122]

hi, what time of year is it best to prune a P.T. so as not to curtail chances of flowers? Now I've watched, I don't think flowers are likely anyway as my tree is about 2! Thank you

[@GreenIslandGardensVideos]

If you want it to bloom then do not prune it. Even so it may take up to 10 years to flower. Patience is required for flowers!

[@theinvincible7511]

Does it highly scented or just light fragrance. . ?

[@GreenIslandGardensVideos]

Hi, its not noted for being a fragrant flower.

[@theinvincible7511]

@@GreenIslandGardensVideos thanks a lot for the info..,first time I thought it got good fragrance..

[@kamgold8467]

@@GreenIslandGardensVideos It has a sweet scent and very popular for honey bees!

[@tschund3762]

@@GreenIslandGardensVideos Thats strange, because they are VERY strong and smell amazing around Washington, D.C. area!

[@NervDisturb]

Mine stopped growing neither its leaves 🍃 didnt get bigger i did gave it doses of npk montly and humic acid in a weekly bases now its 3 months of just a meter tall 😤 the soil is top tier do you recommend cutting it to the ground ? We are in winter rn btw

[@GreenIslandGardensVideos]

Hi Nerve, sorry about the slow reply! Growing will stop in winter and leaves will fall but come spring its should start to grow again :)

[@NervDisturb]

@@GreenIslandGardensVideos it did till mid summer then a cat brake it 😅 it grew to half a meter this kind of tree is a handful Thank you for everything 💐

[@wamikajaz]

Are the leaves of this plant used as fodder ? Like are the leaves edible?

[@GreenIslandGardensVideos]

Not to my knowledge, no 💚

[@oldtimegamer2.098]

I am wondering if this tree is considered invasive in some parts of the world like in some places in America

[@GreenIslandGardensVideos]

Yes it is invasive in some parts of the world, but not in the UK where we are.

[@abdelsidi9649]

Merci

[@joannastecc]

Essa não é kiri do Japão, conhecida como Paulownia

[@johnpatterson5034]

Who’s selling non invasive trees like the Dragon Empress?

[@mooster47]

This plant is invasive in some climates. Nobody should plant one without knowing whether they're an invasive species where you live.

[@GreenIslandGardensVideos]

This is true they can be invasive in parts of America, where we are situated in the UK they are trickier to get going though, so no concern for them becoming invasive.

[@johnpattersonjr.8909]

BAD SOUND on this video!!

[@roblevendosky]

Do not plant these unless you are in China. Your own region has beautiful trees you can cultivate. Don't landscape with invasives!

[@GreenIslandGardensVideos]

Paulownias are not invasive here in the UK. Part of the joy of gardening is being able to use plants from all around the world. Botanical gardens have an important educational role for students/people who cannot afford the time or money to see every plant growing in its native country.

[@tschund3762]

@@GreenIslandGardensVideos Maybe they are not invasive, but they are not native. So they don't support nearly as much wildlife as a native tree that would fit in the same niche.

[@GreenIslandGardensVideos]

@@tschund3762 How narrow minded! We have 20 acres of woodland primarily of native oaks, hornbeams and chestnuts… all fantastic for wildlife. Alongside this we have a lovely collection of ornamentals from all around the world which not only add to the beauty and variety in the landscape but also have educational value for horticultural students. Variety is the spice of life!

[@tschund3762]

@@GreenIslandGardensVideos narrow minded? its just a fact. thats awesome you have 20a of woodland supporting native wildlife!