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Post by Ron on Jul 21, 2009 18:34:27 GMT
Has anyone ever grown a Paulonia Tomentosa (Foxglove Tree)? I've just bought one; its in a pot. It came as a plug plant so I've potted it on.
The instructions suggest to cut it down to ground level each year rather than allow it to grow into a mature tree. Then keep it to a single stem. Will it withstand such treatment year after year?
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Post by Tig on Jul 21, 2009 18:43:39 GMT
Can't say I have seen any photos posted of that one, but someone may have, or have previously grown one.
From a quick google I note it is scented (nice), and comments that it can stand temperatures down to -15c once established, although frost protection is recommended in its first year.
I hard prune the eucalyptus each year and that always comes back more vigourously than before, so perhaps once its roots are growing well it can sustain itself?
Hope someone else can offer first hand experience for you.
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Post by andy on Jul 21, 2009 19:28:37 GMT
I've got a few stunning mature trees right next to my chalet at work. They are about 50 years old and stand 30 foot high. When they're in flower, they stop the traffic they're so nice. Never known them to be scented....i'll have a good sniff next May when they flower.
Paulownia, along with Catalpa and Clerodendron, can be pruned hard every year. As a result, you will get huge leaves but....it's at the expense of the flowers. Some people go for golden or purple leaved varieties to compensate for lack of flowers on pruned trees.
Lovely plants, easy to grow in the ground or a large tub and well worth the effort.
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Post by Ruthie on Jul 21, 2009 20:09:26 GMT
I haven't grown one but I've seen them as cut down specimens and the large leaves are a talking point. We used to pass a mature one when walking the dog down our road but the house evidently was sold and the new owners cut it down!!!!!
There is a mature one in Beth Chatto's garden but I've only seen it in flower once, they're a bit fleeting aren't they! And I will never forget the Groundforce episode where Alan spotted one down the road and went in search of it!
That's not much help I know and I apologise!
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Post by Chuckles on Jul 22, 2009 6:50:44 GMT
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Post by Ladygardener on Jul 22, 2009 8:38:24 GMT
Chuckles thanks for the links, what a stunning tree. Good luck with it Rony, do let us know how you get on with it.  |
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Post by Ron on Jul 23, 2009 9:00:39 GMT
I've had a look at those sites Chuckles; the flowers are indeed spectacular. It has been suggested they don't last long but I don't know. I've also viewed davesgarden.com/guides/pf/go/391/ where there is a list of comments from people who have had one, although it is American so I'm not sure how relevant it is to here. At least one contributer says it isn't too shady when mature, so you can grow stuff underneath it. From that, and for the flowers, I think I'll let it grow naturally, although I might prune away the lower branches. Thanks everyone for your comments. Its certainly an unusual tree. |
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Post by carolann on Jul 25, 2009 20:46:41 GMT
WOW what a stunning tree lucky you Rony you must show us some pic's when its in flower.
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