Catalpa, Umbrella
Catalpa bignonioides 'Nana'
Bignoniaceae - Catalpa
Description
Leaves: Similar to southern catalpa (C. bignonioides); medium green and hairless above, paler green and somewhat hairy below; 4" to 8" in length and 3" to 8" in width; simple; whorled or opposite; apex steeply tapering (short pointed), base square or heart-shaped; rarely lobed; strong odor when crushed; long petiole (4" to 6"); deciduous.
Twigs/buds: Similar to southern catalpa; twigs green and later reddish to grayish brown, sunken leaf scars with whorled nodes in winter. Buds reddish brown, small; no terminal bud; scales overlapping.
Flowers/fruit: Rarely flowers. Fruit, if it exists, is similar to that of southern catalpa.
Bark: Similar to that of southern catalpa; red-brown scales; fissured; thin and easily damaged when young.
Wood: Unimportant; weak; like southern catalpa, it should be moderately resistant to heartwood decay.
General: Of French origin. A grafted dwarf cultivar of Southern catalpa that looks like a large mushroom, globe, or umbrella. Grows to 10' or 15' in height, with a bushy form. Canopy rounded, uniform, and dense. Does well in open areas with full sun.
Landscape Use: Rarely flowers. Normally grafted at 4' to 5' above ground. Zones 5-9.
Characteristics
General
Family | Bignoniaceae - Catalpa |
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Cultivar Availability | Yes |
Hardiness Zone | 5-9 |
Type | Broadleaf |
Utah Native | No |
Growth
Growth Rate | Low |
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Mature Height | Low |
Longevity | Medium |
Is Good Under Power Lines | Yes |
Crown Shapes | Rounded |
Ornamental
Bark | No |
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Fall Color | No |
Flowers | No |
Foliage | No |
Fruit | No |
Tolerance
Shade | Medium |
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Salt | Medium |
Drought | Medium |
Poor Drainage | Medium |
Alkalinity | High |
Transplanting | High |