Our Plant OF The Week this week is a tree!
The Catalpa tree, also spelled Catawba, is native to warm temperate regions of North America, the Caribbean, and east Asia. However, we also have some lovely specimens growing here in the Okanagan valley and they are in full bloom right now.
Catalpas are mostly deciduous trees that typically grow to 12–18 metres (39–59 ft) tall and 6–12 metres (20–39 ft) wide. A 10-year-old sapling will stand about 6 metres (20 ft) tall. They can be recognized by their large heart-shaped or three-lobed leaves, showy white or yellow flowers in broad panicles, and in the autumn by their long fruits which resemble a slender bean pod, containing numerous small flat seeds. It is these seed pods which give the tree its common names - Indian Bean Tree or Cigar Tree.
Due to their large leaf size, Catalpas provide very dark shade and are a popular habitat for many birds, providing them with good shelter from rain and wind.
If you would like one of these trees in your garden, Kel-Lake Greenhouses in Winfield have a good selection at the moment. They do need a lot of room though and are not suitable for small yards!
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