PAULOWNIA tomentosa

This well-known species forms a round-topped tree 9-12m high, fast growing. The leaves often 3-5lobed on the strong shoots and to 50cm long and wide, irregularly serrate, both sides evenly pubescent. The flowers are heliotrope, violet, yellow striped inside, fragrant, and providing they come through the winter and escape a late frost, give a wonderful display in May. Young plants may be pruned to the ground in spring and the resultant suckers thinned to a single shoot. Such is its vigour the shoot will reach 2.5-3m in a single season.(6)