Purple Catalpa

Purple Spring Foliage
White Summer Flowers
Broad Shade Canopy

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#15 Container

$311.00

4 in stock

Size

Clear

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$311.00

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We guarantee that your plants and trees will arrive happy and healthy. If you’re not satisfied after receiving your trees and plants, we’ll replace them at no cost to you. Trees and plants are living organisms and require care, maintenance, and protection to survive, root in, and establish properly. Trees that do not survive despite receiving the proper care, maintenance, and protection within the first year will be considered for a one-time replacement. If you purchased plants outside of your growing zone recommendation, or have not properly cared for your new plants as described in your welcome letter, your purchase won’t be covered by our Grasshopper guarantee.
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Our local delivery area reaches as far north as Schroon Lake, south to Voorheesville, Glenmont, and East Greenbush areas, parts of Fulton and Montgomery counties, much of Washington County, and all areas in between. If you have questions on local delivery, give us a call at

518-793-9623.
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518-793-9623

Purple Catalpa

Sunlight
Can grow in a range from full sun to partial shade. They need at least six hours of direct, unfiltered sunlight per day.
Watering
Regular watering schedule for the first six months. Once established, rainwater should be sufficient.
Fertilizing
Should not need any extra fertilizer unless your entire lawn and garden have problems and needs regular fertilizing.

Purple Catalpa

Purple Catalpa is a deciduous ornamental shade tree known for bold purple new foliage, large heart-shaped leaves, showy white summer flowers, and long bean-like seed pods. Its dramatic spring color and broad canopy make it a standout specimen for sunny lawns, open gardens, and spacious landscape plantings.

Why choose Purple Catalpa?

Choose Purple Catalpa for a shade tree with unusual foliage color and bold seasonal character. New leaves emerge rich purple to bronze-purple, then gradually mature toward green as the season progresses. In early to midsummer, clusters of white, trumpet-shaped flowers add a bright floral display, often marked with yellow and purple interior accents. Its large leaves create a tropical look, while its winter silhouette and long seed pods add distinctive structure after the growing season.

Key Characteristics

Botanical Name: Catalpa bignonioides ‘Purpurea’
Common Name: Purple Catalpa
Plant Type: Deciduous tree
Growth Habit: Broad, upright to rounded shade tree with coarse-textured foliage

Purple Catalpa Additional Information

Purple Catalpa is grown mainly for its purple spring foliage, large heart-shaped leaves, and showy summer flowers. The new growth opens in deep purple tones before softening to green or green-bronze as the leaves mature. Flower clusters typically appear in early to midsummer, with white, trumpet-like blooms that bring a bright contrast against the bold foliage. Mature trees may produce long, slender, bean-like seed pods that hang from the branches and add late-season interest.

This tree works best as a specimen or lawn tree where its broad canopy, coarse texture, and ornamental seed pods can be appreciated. It has a naturally informal shape, so it fits especially well in relaxed landscapes, large lawns, pollinator-friendly plantings, and open garden spaces. Pruning is best kept light and focused on removing damaged, crossing, or poorly placed branches, especially while the tree is young.

Planting & Care

1. Planting: Plant Purple Catalpa in full sun to partial shade with well-drained soil and plenty of room for its mature canopy. Select an open location away from tight walkways, overhead wires, and small foundation spaces.

2. Watering: Water deeply after planting and keep the root zone evenly moist during establishment. Once established, it adapts well to average landscape conditions, with supplemental watering helpful during extended dry periods.

3. Mulching: Apply a wide mulch ring around the base to conserve moisture, moderate soil temperature, and reduce turf competition. Keep mulch pulled back from the trunk to protect the bark.

4. Pruning: Prune young trees to encourage a strong framework and remove crossing, damaged, or awkwardly placed branches. Dormant-season pruning is useful for shaping, while light corrective pruning can be done as needed.

Related Resources

FAQs

What makes Purple Catalpa different from regular catalpa?
Purple Catalpa is valued for its dramatic purple new fsectoliage. The leaves gradually mature toward green, giving the tree a changing seasonal look along with the classic catalpa flowers and long seed pods.
How large does Purple Catalpa get?
Purple Catalpa can become a medium to large shade tree, commonly reaching about 30 to 50 feet tall with a broad canopy when planted in a spacious, favorable site.
When does Purple Catalpa bloom?
Purple Catalpa typically blooms in early to midsummer. Its white, trumpet-shaped flowers appear in clusters and often feature yellow and purple markings inside the blooms.
Where should I plant Purple Catalpa?
Plant it in a sunny to partly shaded lawn or open landscape area where the tree has room to spread. It is best used as a specimen shade tree rather than in tight planting spaces.

Shipping Details

Estimated Shipping Time: Most orders ship immediately. As noted on the website, some items are seasonal, and may only ship in spring or fall. Once your order is shipped, you’ll receive an email with a tracking number.

Amount of Order	Shipping Charge
Local Delivery	FREE SHIPPING
Non-Local Delivery	Varies based on UPS shipping

Lush Foliage
Full Sun
Flowering

Mature Height	Large: Up to 30 ft or more
Mature Spread	20+ ft
Growth Rate	Fast
Botanical Name	Catalpa x erubescens 'Purpurea'
Bloom Time	Late Spring, Early Summer
Deer Resistant	Usually
Family	Bignoniaceae
Flower Color	White
Hardiness Zones	5, 6, 7, 8
Light Needs	Full Sun
Maintenance	Medium
Size	#15 Container, 3-4″ Caliper

Growing Zones 4-8 Outdoors

(Hardy down to -30)

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Flower Color	Non Flowering	Non Flowering	White	White	White	Non Flowering
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Hardiness Zones	10, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9	4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9	3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8	4, 5, 6, 7, 8	3, 4, 5, 6, 7	3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8
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Maintenance	Medium	Medium	Medium	Low	Low	Low