Frank P Matthews
Heart-shaped leaves, white 'foxglove' type flowers with purple/yellow speckles borne in large panicles. Read more
Description: Catalpa bignonioides have heart shaped leaves and white 'foxglove' type flowers with attractive purple and yellow speckles borne in large panicles in July and August. The flowers are produced in large clusters with their large leaves making it one of the most appealing summer trees. Dark “beans” up to 30cm long appear during the autumn which remain on the tree for most of the winter.
History: Originates from the Eastern United states and was introduced in 1726. Received the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit in 1993.
Catalpa Growing Tips: Grow in a moist but well-drained, fertile soil in sun or part shade. Shelter from strong winds as these may shred the large leaves. Protect from late spring frosts when young. Hard prune every winter to increase leaf size.
Height and Spread (after 10 years): 10m x 10m
Indian Bean
Panicles of trumpet-shaped pale pink flowers, with brown and orange-spots. Large, pointed leaves tinged bronze in spring
Golden Indian Bean Tree
Low spreading habit. Large heart-shaped golden velvety leaves fade to green. Panicles of white flowers.
Purple Indian Bean Tree
Young leaves and shoots dark purple, almost black, maturing to dark green. Foxglove like flowers from a young age.
Large, heart-shaped, fresh green leaves; clusters of white flowers with purple spotted centres in June.
Your tree will have been pruned prior to despatch so there should be no need to prune straight away. The only exception is a bare root maiden which will not have been pruned. Some varieties will benefit from being pruned later – please see the variety specific information.
We would advise watering your tree when planting and then regularly during the first summer in the ground. Thereafter the level of watering will depend on the soil and weather conditions. It is best to not let young trees dry out.
A free booklet with simple instructions will be included with your order.
You can find more information in the ‘Advice’ section of our website. Click here for ‘How to Plant a Container Tree’ and here for ‘How to Plant a Bare Root Tree’.
Trees should always be planted as soon as possible. The only exception would be bare root trees if the soil is very frozen or waterlogged, in which case heel the trees in until the ground is ready. Bare root trees must be planted before new growth appears in spring, this is usually in March.
If your tree is to be kept in a container, then we’d advise repotting into a larger container as soon as possible. Please check to see whether the tree is suitable for a pot before purchasing.
If you have a coupon code for a discount off your order, this can be entered on your basket page. Please note only one coupon code can be used per order.
We currently offer 10% off all orders for active Military personnel and veterans.
Email with proof of service to sales@fpmatthews.co.uk. We will then send you a coupon code which can be used for 10% off your total.
Please note this cannot be used in conjunction with other discounts.
Please email sales@fpmatthews.co.uk within five working days and we will get back to you as soon as possible. Please include photos of any damage.
Yes, you can collect the trees from the nursery. Please select the ‘Collect’ option when placing the order. We will email you as soon as your order is ready for collection, we will then need at least two working days to prepare your order.
The delivery charge is calculated according to the number of boxes needed to send the trees. One container grown tree will need one box; bare root trees vary but we can usually get about four – six in a box. The total delivery cost will be shown when you place the order.
We deliver to Great Britain, Isle of Man and the Channel Islands. We don’t currently deliver to Northern and Southern Ireland.
We will notify you by email when your order has been despatched. It will usually be delivered within three days from notification.
Our large box is 2m tall and 30cm square. All products can be sent in the size.
Our medium box is 1.5m tall and 30cm square. This is only available for small or patio grown trees and 1 year maiden bare root trees.
Selecting the large box size may reduce the necessity for pruning on selected varieties. Any required pruning is conducted by our tree experts and will not have a detrimental effect on the tree.
We are unable to offer a scheduled delivery service as we cannot guarantee an exact delivery date. We can aim for a specific week if you let us know.
Our courier company will leave the package in the safest place if there is no one there, so there is no need to sign for the delivery.
Container grown trees are available from August – May and bare root trees are available from November – March. We always aim to deliver your order as soon as every item is ready for despatch.
If the whole order is ready when purchased, it usually takes between 5 and 10 working days to arrive.
See below for a guide on when bare root trees are usually ready for despatch.
Early November – Two year old plums, cherries, apples and then pears.
Late November – One year maiden plums, cherries, prunus and sorbus
Early December – One year maiden apples and malus
Mid/late December- One year maiden pears and remaining ornamental bare root.
This is an estimate as the lifting of bare root trees is very weather dependent.
If you are unhappy with you tree and wish to return it, the delivery charge will not be included in the refund.
If you change your mind or do not want to keep your tree, please email sales@fpmatthews.co.uk within five working days.
Trees will need to be returned at your cost. Once they arrive back with is in good condition we can arrange a refund for the tree.