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Tree · Paulowniaceae family

Foxglove tree

Paulownia tomentosa

Full sun in a garden 4–6 m × 4–6 m Flowers April–May to −23 °C
Flower colours Click a colour

In short a 10-second read

SunFull sun
in a garden after 10 years4–6 m
in the wild up to 15 m
spacing 6 m
FlowersApril–May
PlantingMarch–April, October–November
WinterNo winter protection
Watched as potentially invasive (CZ, DE) — keep it away from the wild and do not let it spread.

Where to plant and how much to water

Sun, soil and water.

It grows best in full sun, in average soil.

Sun

Sun6 hours or more
Part shade3–6 hours
Shadeunder 3 h

Soil

acidic to neutral soil
acidicneutralalkaline
averageloamysandy

Watering

regularly until establishedat the base, not on the leavesless when it rains

Frost

−23 °C
no winter protectionleafless in winter

How much space it takes

Mature size.

The mature plant next to a person (175 cm).

1 m2 m3 m4 m5 m6 m7 m8 m9 m10 m11 m12 m13 m14 m15 m10–15 mspread 6–12 m
10–15 m× spread 6–12 m

Plant 6 m apart.

Reaches maturity in about 8–10 years. The final size depends on the cultivar and the spot — we give the range from smallest to largest.

Calendar

Through the year.

Months for Central Europe. The line shows the current month.

The year at a glance

Flowers: JanuaryFlowers: FebruaryFlowers: MarchFlowers: AprilFlowers: MayFlowers: JuneFlowers: JulyFlowers: AugustFlowers: SeptemberFlowers: OctoberFlowers: NovemberFlowers: DecemberPlanting: JanuaryPlanting: FebruaryPlanting: MarchPlanting: AprilPlanting: MayPlanting: JunePlanting: JulyPlanting: AugustPlanting: SeptemberPlanting: OctoberPlanting: NovemberPlanting: DecemberFeeding: JanuaryFeeding: FebruaryFeeding: MarchFeeding: AprilFeeding: MayFeeding: JuneFeeding: JulyFeeding: AugustFeeding: SeptemberFeeding: OctoberFeeding: NovemberFeeding: DecemberJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
FlowersPlantingFeeding
Now, in October: a good time for planting (container plant, bare-root, root-balled).
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

Flowers

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

April–May · purple

Planting

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

container plant: March–April, October–November; bare-root: March–April, October–November; root-balled: March–April, October–November

Feeding

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

May–June

Feeding

Nutrition.

Horn meal

up to 55 g/m² a year, if the soil needs it · May–June

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

Pests and diseases

Common problems and what to do.

The most common problems in Central Europe. Protection is listed from the gentlest option.

No serious pests or diseases

The source lists no significant problems.

Sources (1)

Frequently asked

Quick answers.

When does foxglove tree flower?

In April–May; the flowers are purple.

Does foxglove tree tolerate shade?

No, it needs full sun.

How much space does foxglove tree need?

At maturity 6–12 m wide and 10–15 m tall; recommended spacing 6 m.

Sources (16) Checked 24 October 2026

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