Foxglove Tree Seeds - Paulownia Tomentosa - Empress Tree
Discover the enchanting Foxglove Tree Seeds - Paulownia Tomentosa, known as the Empress Tree, from Bee Kind Botanicals. Revered in Eastern cultures for its rich historical significance, this remarkable tree symbolizes resilience and renewal. Not only is it fast-growing, but it's also a potent carbon sequester, contributing significantly to the environment. Its stunning flowers are a magnet for a variety of vital pollinators, promoting biodiversity in your garden. Embrace this extraordinary tree and grow diversity, one seed at a time.
Information & Growing Guide
Paulownia Tomentosa Seeds - Royal Empress Tree | Premium UK Garden Seeds
Grow This Spectacular Fast-Growing Tree - The Royal Empress
Transform your garden with Paulownia tomentosa, the legendary Royal Empress Tree. This remarkable ornamental tree produces stunning violet-purple flower clusters and grows up to 3 meters per year, making it perfect for creating instant privacy screens, wildlife habitats, and dramatic garden features in UK climates.
Why Choose Our Royal Empress Tree Seeds?
- Ultra-Fast Growth - Grows 2-3 meters annually in UK conditions
- Stunning Flowers - Fragrant violet-purple blooms attract pollinators
- Climate Resilient - Hardy to -20°C, perfect for British gardens
- Premium Seeds - Fresh stock with 80%+ germination rate
- Instant Impact - Creates privacy screens and windbreaks quickly
- Eco-Friendly - Excellent carbon sequestration and soil stabiliser
- Large Leaves - Heart-shaped foliage up to 40cm wide
Plant Specifications:
- Scientific Name: Paulownia tomentosa
- Common Names: Royal Empress Tree, Princess Tree, Foxglove Tree
- Type: Deciduous fast-growing tree
- Mature Height: 12-15m (40-50 feet)
- Growth Rate: 2-3m per year when young
- Hardiness: RHS H5 (hardy to -20°C)
- Flowers: Violet-purple, fragrant, April-May
- Leaves: Heart-shaped, 20-40cm wide
- Soil: Well-draining, tolerates most soil types
Complete UK Growing Guide:
Seed Starting (February-April)
- Indoor Sowing: Start seeds on windowsill in heated propagator
- Temperature: Maintain 18-22°C for optimal germination
- Germination: 10-21 days with consistent warmth and moisture
- Soil: Use seed compost, barely cover seeds (need light)
Seedling Care:
- Transplanting: Move to individual pots when 5cm tall
- Hardening Off: Gradually acclimatise outdoors in May
- First Year: Keep in containers, protect from frost
- Growth: Can reach 1-2m in first season
Planting Outdoors (May-September):
- Location: Full sun to partial shade, sheltered from strong winds
- Soil Prep: Improve drainage, add organic matter
- Spacing: Plant 4-6m apart for privacy screen
- Watering: Deep weekly watering first two years
Ongoing Care:
- Pruning: Cut back hard in late winter for bushier growth
- Feeding: Balanced fertiliser in spring promotes rapid growth
- Winter: Young trees need fleece protection first 2-3 years
- Pest Control: Generally pest-free, watch for aphids
Garden Uses & Benefits:
Perfect For:
- Fast Privacy Screens - Creates instant garden boundaries
- Wildlife Gardens - Flowers attract bees, butterflies, hummingbirds
- Erosion Control - Extensive root system stabilises slopes
- Windbreaks - Rapid growth provides shelter quickly
- Specimen Trees - Dramatic focal point in large gardens
Environmental Benefits:
- Carbon Capture - Sequesters CO2 faster than most trees
- Air Purification - Large leaves filter pollutants effectively
- Pollinator Support - Early flowers provide vital spring nectar
- Soil Improvement - Deep roots bring nutrients to surface
Important Growing Notes:
UK Climate Considerations:
- Best Regions: South England, protected sites elsewhere
- Frost Protection: Essential for young plants under 3 years
- Wind Shelter: Large leaves vulnerable to wind damage
- Drainage: Prevent waterlogging in heavy clay soils
Growth Management:
- Coppicing: Cut to ground annually for shrub-like growth
- Size Control: Regular pruning keeps tree manageable
- Flower Production: Best on mature wood (3+ years old)
Troubleshooting Tips:
- Slow Germination: Ensure consistent 20°C temperature and light
- Frost Damage: Protect young plants, mature trees recover quickly
- Wind Damage: Stake young trees, provide windbreak shelter
- Poor Growth: Check drainage and increase feeding regime
Cultural Heritage & History:
The Royal Empress Tree originated in China where it symbolises honour and wealth. Named after Princess Anna Pavlovna of the Netherlands, this majestic tree has been prized for centuries for its rapid growth and beautiful flowers. In Japan, tradition holds that a Paulownia should be planted when a daughter is born, to be harvested for her wedding chest.
Safety Information:
Note: While historically used in traditional medicine, all parts of Paulownia tomentosa should be considered potentially toxic.
Grow for ornamental value only and supervise children around the tree.
Why Our Seeds Are Superior:
- Fresh Harvest - Current season seeds for maximum viability
- UK Tested - Proven performance in British growing conditions
- High Germination - 80%+ success rate
- Expert Support - Free growing advice from our team
- Sustainable Source - Ethically collected from mature trees
Order Your Royal Empress Seeds Today:
Fast UK Delivery - Usually dispatched within 24 hours
Create instant garden drama with the world's fastest-growing ornamental tree. Perfect for UK gardeners wanting rapid results, wildlife habitat, and stunning spring flowers. These remarkable trees combine Eastern elegance with British garden practicality.
Transform your landscape in record time - order your Paulownia tomentosa seeds now and grow your own Royal Empress Tree paradise.