Page 2 | What is this tree with purple flowers

OhamIreally · 2023-04-29T14:18:59+00:00

Walked a different route home the other day and saw this tree. I was astounded as I don't think I've ever seen one before and no idea what it is. Can anyone enlighten me?

longtompot · 02/05/2023 17:05

I was going to say def not lilac or buddleia as mine are in leaf with flowers (lilac) and just leaves (buddleia) It sounds like you have found an interesting tree😊

Original poster

OhamIreally · 03/05/2023 19:26

newnamethanks · 02/05/2023 16:17

Pawlonia, the 'foxglove tree'. There's one round the corner from here. I've seen it flower once in 14 years. It was a showstopper when it did though. Beautiful.

@newnamethanks gosh once in 14 years! I wonder what the conditions are that lead it to flower as it's not been particularly warm or anything. I'm in London.

OP posts:

newnamethanks · 03/05/2023 19:49

It's native to the American South where I think it's designated as a pest ? (Someone will know). So maybe it's too dark and chilly for it here to flower often? But am just guessing I'm afraid.

newnamethanks · 03/05/2023 19:59

@OhamIreally just noticed you're in London, I'm in Hampshire so it's a bit warmer here. However, in Richmond, in a little lane off the High St there is a row of cottages with tiny gardens. In one there is a fully grown, fruiting pomegranate tree, probably about 30 years old. It's startling to see it in the cold grey of a London winter, fruit dangling and glowing like large baubles. I've not noticed a Pawlonia in London though.

viques · 03/05/2023 20:22

newnamethanks · 03/05/2023 19:59

@OhamIreally just noticed you're in London, I'm in Hampshire so it's a bit warmer here. However, in Richmond, in a little lane off the High St there is a row of cottages with tiny gardens. In one there is a fully grown, fruiting pomegranate tree, probably about 30 years old. It's startling to see it in the cold grey of a London winter, fruit dangling and glowing like large baubles. I've not noticed a Pawlonia in London though.

There’s a pomegranate in the Chelsea Physic garden too, I am not sure if the fruits get ripe enough to eat, but it looks lovely.

newnamethanks · 03/05/2023 20:37

O thank you viques I haven't been there for years. I must add it to my list of gardens to revisit. It's a pleasure of my older years, pottering about admiring planting.

LoobyDop · 04/05/2023 17:18

St Peter’s Square in Manchester has several of these. Very pretty.

Daftasabroom · 04/05/2023 17:26

Paulownia has the lowest density of any tree, including balsa. It's incredibly fast growing and can lock up a huge amount of CO2.

MereDintofPandiculation · 04/05/2023 20:20

OhamIreally · 29/04/2023 15:22

Definitely not a wisteria.

Does lilac flower before the leaves are out like a magnolia does? The shape of the purple blooms don't look like lilac.

No, the leaves of lilac come out at much the same time as the blooms develop, and so are fully out once the flowers open. You’re right too that these flower spikes are too cylindrical for lilac

Barnabyted · 16/08/2023 17:10

I concur that it looks like a foxglove tree (Paulownia). My neighbour had two. The one she pollarded never grew back the same and never flowered after it was pruned. The one that she didn’t touch, flowered year after year and was quite spectacular.
They are fast growing and the seeds can cause quite a mess.