Why Plant Northern Catalpa?
Northern Catalpa trees are the ornamental shade trees that take center stage in your landscape, wow-ing you season after season! You will admire the dazzling flower show it puts on in spring! Clusters of white flowers blanket the tree like small trumpets bursting in song. A delicate fragrance is emitted and the hummingbirds come a'callin'! Fall in love with the giant heart-shaped leaves unfurling on unique twisted branches as they change from lovely shades of green to orange-yellow for fall color. Then, by late winter, you can collect the elegant seed pods dangling like earrings on branches. The many seasons of memories this legacy tree will bring your garden are bountiful!
At one time, Northern Catalpa probably only grew in a very small region near the confluence of the Mississippi and Ohio Rivers. We don’t know the original boundaries of its native habitat for sure, because once settlers arrived in the Midwest, they began to introduce the tree to new areas. Farmers found the rot-resistant wood to be excellent for fence posts, so they planted the fast-growing Catalpa extensively. Escaping cultivation by reseeding, it has spread itself even further—all over the eastern U.S. It’s a tough tree that grows in challenging conditions; Catalpa has even found its way into vacant lots in the heart of the city!
How to use Northern Catalpa in the landscape?
Northern Catalpa trees are hardy, deciduous trees with a generous amount of azalea-like flowers in spring. The elegant white flower show will be like your own personal botanical garden right in your backyard!
Planting Zones
Hardiness Zone: 4-8
How To Plant Northern Catalpa
Northern Catalpa is easy to please. This adaptable native thrives in many situations. It grows in dry soil (once established) as well as those that experience seasonal flooding. It tolerates infertile soil and has been used in healing lands degraded by mining. It even grows in part shade, though flowers will be less profuse there—plant it in full sun if you can. Catalpa does drop a fair amount of debris: twigs, bean-shaped seed pods, and of course those huge leaves in fall, so be sure to keep it away from pools and patios.
How To Water
When newly planted, you should water your Northern Catalpa at least twice a week for the first growing season. Catalpa prefer to be in soil that maintains moisture and can tolerate flooding. Once established, they can handle small periods of drought, but it's best to water in those situations.
How To Fertilize
It's best to fertilize your Northern Catalpa when planting - we recommend the Bower & Branch Elements Starter Plant Food! After planting, you should fertilize every spring to be sure your tree has a sufficient amount of nutrients for healthy growth each year!
How To Prune
The best time to prune your Northern Catalpa is in late spring, after the tree has bloomed. You could also do so in late fall. You will want to remove any damaged or dead branches.
How Does Shipping Work?
Bower & Branch Trees, the real BIG trees, don’t fit in a box! Our big trees, sizes XL and bigger, require expert delivery and care, that means our extra-large trees are shipped on Bower & Branch trucks. We are the only ones who know how to ship our big and bigger trees and plants with tender loving care. We deliver your trees and plants directly to you. Ask Bower & Branch about planting services – we'd be happy to assist in installation.
*For Big trees and Shrubs, Size XL and bigger: Review our Seasonal Shipping Timelines and Policy here.
Your trees and plants are grown across the United States at various Bower & Branch Growers. Depending on your location, your plant orders may be shipped from various locations. Please expect orders with multiple items to be delivered over a number of days as a result. Orders made up of numerous items or selections will not arrive at your home on the same day.
Shipping Delays:
From time to time, Bower & Branch Growers may determine to delay order shipment based on various factors for plant health. Weather in your region, as well as, where your plants are grown, is always considered when shipping. Extreme weather conditions may delay some or all of your order. Bower & Branch allows our Growers to make final shipping decisions based solely to benefit your trees and plants’ health and success.
How Does Sizing Work?
The size of our trees have nothing to do with the container size like you may find elsewhere–big doesn't mean just height - it’s also vigor, age, and overall health. Other online retailers are going to tell you that a plant is a seven gallon, that means nothing to your tree or plant (or you.)
Our trees for sale online are graded on large, x-large, and even bigger sizes. This is because our trees are sized by their age—the higher the letter, the more mature the tree. The age determines the trees’ overall height, size of the trunk and the overall branch density.
All of these characteristics are what you should be looking for when choosing a tree for immediate impact and instant curb appeal. Our extra-large tree and plant sizes are sure to wow you and your neighbors!
See the size guides below.
