Catalpa bignonioides

Indian Bean

Discontinued

Heart-shaped leaves, white 'foxglove' type flowers with purple/yellow speckles borne in large panicles. Read more

Attributes

  • Deciduous
  • Tree shape: Standard
  • M Size: Medium
  • Leaf colour: Green
  • Flower colour: White
  • Growth rate: Fast
  • Open space planting
  • Flowering month: July
  • Replacement prune
  • Drought tolerant
  • Fruit for wildlife
  • Prefers full sun
  • Award-winning
Full Description

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

Some FAQs

Tree Care

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 also be included with your order.

You can also 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.

Delivery

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 three in a box. The total delivery cost will be shown when you place the order.

We currently do not deliver to any addresses outside of mainland Great Britain.

We will notify you by email when your order has been despatched. It will usually be delivered within three days from notification.

Our boxes are 2 metres tall and 30cm square.

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 and bare root trees are available from November. 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, apples and then pears.
Late November/Early December – Ornamental prunus, sorbus, thorns, malus and then pyrus. 

This is an estimate as the lifting of bare root trees is very weather dependent.

Returns

If you are unhappy with your tree when it arrives, please email sales@fpmatthews.co.uk within five working days and we will get back to you as soon as possible.