Western Catalpa

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 due to their large size. 

 

Western Catalpa

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 due to their large size. 

 

Plant details
bar-chart-01
Botanic Name

Catalpa speciosa

bar-chart-01
Pronunciation

kuh-TAL-puh spee-see-OH-suh

bar-chart-01
Mature Height

up to 50 ft.

bar-chart-01
Mature Spread

35 ft.

bar-chart-01
Water usage
Water Usage

One Droplet: Water twice per month or less, once established.

Two Droplets: Water about once per week, once established.

Three Droplets: Water about twice per week, once established.

bar-chart-01
Flower Color

white

bar-chart-01
Bloom time

June

bar-chart-01
Colorado Native

No

bar-chart-01
Natural Habitat

southern Illinois to Arkansas

bar-chart-01
Light Requirements

sun

bar-chart-01
Cold Hardiness

USDA zones 4-8

bar-chart-01
Elevation Limit

hardy to 6,500 ft.

View more plants

Amur Maple
Amur Maple

Acer ginnala

Red Maple
Red Maple

Acer rubrum

Caddo Maple
Caddo Maple

Acer saccharum 'Caddo'

Hot Wings Tatarian Maple
Hot Wings Tatarian Maple

Acer tataricum 'GarAnn'

Tatarian Maple
Tatarian Maple

Acer tataricum

Arizona Cypress
Arizona Cypress

Callitropsis arizonica

Hackberry
Hackberry

Celtis occidentalis

Turkish Filbert
Turkish Filbert

Corylus colurna

Russian Hawthorn
Russian Hawthorn

Crataegus ambigua

Thornless Cockspur Hawthorn
Thornless Cockspur Hawthorn

Crataegus crus-galli var. inermis