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Bare root pre-orders for Spring '26 are now live!
Bare root pre-orders for Spring '26 are now live!
Find Your Hardiness Zone

Empress Tree

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Original price $24.99 - Original price $24.99
Original price
$24.99
$24.99 - $24.99
Current price $24.99
SKU M580

(Paulownia tomentosa) It is a very fast growing dense shade tree for the Pacific Northwest and other areas with mild winters. The wood is extremely valuable and has many uses. In colder parts of its range, for the first few years, the new growth dies back each winter but tremendous summer growth more than compensates. In Japan, the wood is traditionally used to make dowry chests and other furniture. Each spring, the tree is covered with clusters of trumpet shaped two inch long fragrant flowers that are lilac blue; a display of spectacular beauty. They provide good bee forage in the spring. Young trees grow best if given a lot of water in summer. Even young trees have two foot diameter heart shaped leaves.

USDA Zone: 7-10

Grow Height:  30' (Large)

Sun: Full Sun

Ripening Time: N/A

Pollination: N/A

Size: 2 Quart Pot

QUESTIONS & ANSWERS

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  • Is this the invasive type?

    It depends. In our region it is not, in other regions it is considered "undesireable". You should check with your local area to see if Empress Tree is considered problematic.

Customer Reviews

Based on 3 reviews
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Mary H.
Plant arrived in excellent condition

I was so happy to find a nursery who would be able to ship me an Empress Tree. I had one in my last garden and have a perfect spot for it in my new garden. The quality was very good and it has been planted and deer proofed until it can get bigger!

D
Doman
Irreplaceable Quality!! Best I’ve ordered!!

Top notch quality of tree shipped to me after purchase.. I would happily buy two more if they were still available. I will do business here again in the future!!

E
Erin O.
Excellent specimen!!

I received my Pawlonia (Empress tree) tomentosa quickly and it was in absolutely perfect condition and healthy! It was sent very well packaged in a 2 quart container. I highly recommend both this lovely, versatile tree/shrub and Raintree Nursery!

The tree can be allowed to grow as it comes with a trunk and it will put on the most beautiful floral show with long, fragrant, purple racemes of flowers that will bring in the pollinators. Alternately, it can be coppiced to create multiple 2-3" diameter new shoots that grow at least 10' tall per season and have huge, 2-3' across, soft, fuzzy green leaves. They're spectacular and the coppiced tall growth is very straight, great for structural use in the garden and for carving.