Catalpa
This group of fairly large trees is native to North America, eastern Asia and the West Indies. These fast-growing trees are commonly known as Indian Beans. Most of them are deciduous, but a few keep their leaves throughout the year. These trees have large, heart-shaped leaves and older trees produce panicles of foxglove-like blossoms, which are followed by slender, brown seedpods. C. bignonioides, the Common or Southern Catalpa, grows from 35 to 40 feet high and produces a round head of large, ovate leaves, up to 8 inches long and wide. Panicles of frilly, bell-shaped, white flowers striped with yellow and spotted with purple are borne in abundance, in early summer. These are followed by thin, brown seedpods, 6 to 20 inches long. C. speciosa (Northern Catalpa) is a tall-growing tree with large, heart-shaped, green leaves and white flowers speckled with purple.
Pot Cultivation
Indian Beans grow best in deep, loamy soil though they can be grown in any ordinary soil and will tolerate alkaline soil and drought. They will even withstand polluted air. They should be planted in the spring or early fall in a sunny, sheltered location. In exposed locations, their beautiful, large leaves are liable to become tattered. Indian Beans rarely need to be pruned, except when they are young. It is necessary to remove any side shoots to develop a single, straight trunk. Older trees should have dead and worn-out or weak branches cut off.
Propagation
Seeds can be sown in a cold frame, greenhouse, or outside. Cuttings can also be made from the half-woody, non-flowering shoots in the summer. Special varieties should be grafted.
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| C. speciosa |
C. hybrida |
VARIETIES
- C. bignonioides & var. aurea, variegata;
- C. erubescens & var. purpurea;
- C. speciosa;
- C. hybrida;
- C. ovata;
- C. Bungei;
- C. Fargesii & var. Duclouxii.
