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Browse Trees and Plants

Southern catalpa

Catalpa bignonioides

Common names:
southern catalpa, common catalpa, eastern catalpa, cigar tree

Content Detail

Southern catalpa is a short trunked tree with a rounded to irregular form that can reach 30 to 40 feet in height. Attractive, large panicles of white bell-shaped flowers with yellow and purple spots bloom in early summer and are long-lasting. Falling flowers and fruit can be messy. Native to floodplains, southern catalpa is very adaptable and tolerant of adverse conditions.

  • Family (English) Bignonia
  • Family (botanic) Bignoniaceae
  • Planting site City parkway, Residential and parks, Restricted sites, Wide median
  • Tree or plant type Tree
  • Foliage Deciduous (seasonally loses leaves)
  • Native locale North America
  • Size range Medium tree (25-40 feet), Large tree (more than 40 feet)
  • Mature height 30-40 feet
  • Mature width 30-40 feet
  • Light exposure Full sun (6 hrs direct light daily), Partial sun / shade (4-6 hrs light daily)
  • Hardiness zones Zone 5 (Northern Illinois), Zone 6 (City of Chicago), Zone 7, Zone 8, Zone 9
  • Soil preference Moist, well-drained soil
  • Tolerances Alkaline soil, Dry sites, Wet sites
  • Season of interest mid spring, late spring
  • Flower color and fragrance Fragrant, White
  • Shape or form Irregular
  • Growth rate Moderate
  • Transplants well Yes
  • Planting considerations May be difficult to find in nurseries, Messy fruit/plant parts, Weak wood and branch structure
  • Wildlife Insect pollinators
  • Has cultivars Yes

Size and form:

Southern catalpa is a short trunked tree with a rounded to irregular form that can reach 30 to 40 feet in height.

Native geographic location and habitat:

It is native to the southern United States.

Attracts birds and butterflies:

Flowers attract insect pollinators. 

Bark color and texture:

Bark is gray-brown and scaly with age.

Leaf or needle arrangement, size, shape, and texture:

The simple, opposite or sometimes whorled leaves are 4 to 8 inches long with an entire margin. Leaves are bright green in summer with little to no fall color.

Flower arrangement, shape, and size:

White, funnel-shaped flowers with purple markings inside that are grouped in a 4 to 8 inch tall upright cluster.

Fruit, cone, nut, and seed descriptions:

Podlike capsules are 8 to 20 inches long and filled with winged seeds.

Plant care:

Southern catalpa can be planted in full sun to part shade and is very adaptable and tolerant of adverse conditions. It can be messy when flowers and fruits fall. The branches are brittle and prone to storm damage.

List of pests, diseases and tolerances:

Verticillium wilt and minor problems including leaf spots and powdery mildew. It is tolerant of drought and black walnut toxicity.

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