Catalpa ovata - Flowering Tree,Medicinal Herbs - Chinese Catalpa, Japanese Catalpa, Yellow Catalpa Page

Transform your landscape with the exotic allure of Chinese Catalpa (Catalpa ovata), an enchanting deciduous tree native to the forested realms of western China. Celebrated for its exuberant display of orchid-like, yellowish-white blossoms, this captivating tree reaches an elegant height and spread of 20 to 30 feet, creating a symmetrical crown perfect for dappled shade on sun-drenched summer days. Embrace its versatility as it thrives in various soil conditions, from moist fertile loams to dry, challenging environments, proving resilient even in seasonally flooded areas.

In late spring, from May to June, Chinese Catalpa adorns itself with showy clusters of bell-shaped flowers, lightly speckled with purple and orange, making it an irresistible attraction to pollinators. As summer fades, the tree transitions into a new phase, bearing long, slender green pods that mature and split open in fall, releasing wind-carried seeds. The tree's broad light-green leaves provide a lush backdrop, transforming into a subtle yellow come fall, against bark that is beautifully fissured and pale gray-brown.

A practical choice for urban parks and challenging landscapes, Chinese Catalpa offers much more than just aesthetics. Its adaptability makes it ideal for difficult areas like moist low spots and poor soils. With no serious disease or insect issues, it stands as a low-maintenance option for home gardeners and landscape architects alike.