Paulownia kawakamii or the Sapphire Dragon Tree is a majestic, fast growing, deciduous tree with large, mid-green leaves with hairy undersides and prominent veins. The gently fragrant flowers are what makes this tree so attractive in cultivation. A profusion of tubular, foxglove-like flowers that are pale purple with spotted throats are borne in long panicles in spring before the leaves appear, creating quite a spectacular sight. In its first year, a Sapphire Dragon seedling can exceed three meters. In its second year, five meters with the appearance of its first bloom. In its third year, it becomes a substantial shade tree with a final height of eight meters. A three-year-old Sapphire Dragon can have up to 30 racemes, each one of them a metre long and half a metre wide, bearing 300 frilly orchid-like flowers that will perfume a garden with its delicate fragrance. Tolerant of poor air quality, they are very hardy trees that grow extremely quickly and are an excellent choice as an ornamental or shade tree for medium to larger gardens.
Soil: Any well-drained soil, well-mulched with reliable moisture.
Conditions: Full sun. Tolerant of wind, frost and pollution.
Size: Height 10m x width 8m
Soil: Any well-drained soil, well-mulched with reliable moisture.
Conditions: Full sun. Tolerant of wind, frost and pollution.
Size: Height 10m x width 8m