The trumpet tree - not to be confused with the angel's trumpet, which is often incorrectly called the same - originally comes from the milder regions in the southeast of the USA, but has also been found in Europe since the end of the 18th century. The deciduous deciduous tree is also known as the cigar or bean tree because of its brown, elongated fruits. The joking name “official tree” came about because Catalpa only sprouts very late in the year.
What is a trumpet tree and where does it come from?
The trumpet tree (Catalpa bignonioides) is a deciduous deciduous tree that originally comes from the southeastern United States and has been widespread in Europe since the 18th century. It grows up to 18 meters high, blooms from June to July with bell-shaped, white flowers and has bean-like fruits.
The common trumpet tree at a glance
- Botanical name: Catalpa bignonioides
- Genus: Trumpet Tree
- Family: Trumpet tree family (Bignoniaceae)
- Popular names: civil service tree, cigar tree, bean tree
- Often confused with: angel's trumpet (Brugmansia), trumpet flower (Campsis radicans), laburnum (Laburnum) (also sometimes called bean tree)
- Origin and distribution: Southeast of the USA, also in Europe since the 18th century
- Location: sunny and sheltered from the wind
- Growth: deciduous tree
- Growth height: up to 18 meters
- Bark: light grey-brown, cracked
- Flowers: bell-shaped, white individual flowers, arranged in panicles
- Flowering period: June to July
- Fruit: up to 40 centimeters long, bean-like
- Leaves: up to 20 centimeters long, heart-shaped
- Autumn color: light yellow
- Propagation: seeds, cuttings or offshoots
- Winter hardiness: older trees from four to five years old, yes, younger ones need winter protection
- Toxicity: slightly toxic
- Use: Ornamental tree in gardens and parks
Popular exotic with fascinating flowers
The trumpet tree is particularly magnificent to look at in June and July, because at this time it shows its large, bell-shaped flowers. These are pure white, but have yellow stripes and purple spots inside. The lightly scented flowers attract numerous bees and butterflies looking for food. The leaves, which are up to 20 centimeters long, also exude a delicate scent that is said to have a deterrent effect, especially on mosquitoes. Catalpa is not necessarily a fast-growing tree - the average annual growth is around 35 centimeters - but it can grow up to 18 meters high and 10 meters wide, provided of course that the location and care meet its needs.
The ball trumpet tree is suitable for small gardens
Even if you only have a small garden, you can get the beautiful trumpet tree. The ball trumpet tree - especially the dwarf variety 'Nana' - only grows to around five meters high and up to 3.5 meters wide and is therefore much smaller than the large version. However, ball trumpet trees only bloom very rarely and when they do, then only at an older age.
Tip
Also a very beautiful garden ornament, but much rarer to find, is Catalpa speciosa, the magnificent trumpet tree.