Western Sand Cherry vs Empress Tree - TreeTime.ca

Western Sand Cherry vs Empress Tree

Prunus pumila var. besseyi

Paulownia tomentosa

NOT AVAILABLE THIS SEASON - MIGHT RETURN

NOT AVAILABLE THIS SEASON - MIGHT RETURN

Western Sand Cherry
Empress Tree

Western Sand Cherry is known for its unique, leathery grey-green foliage and beautiful white blossoms. It is a popular ornamental shrub in parks and front yards. Both you and the wildlife will love its edible small dark red to purple cherries.

Due to its small stature and spreading qualities, Western Sandcherry is suitable as an underplanting or groundcover.

Many people graft plum and cherry varieties to Western Sand Cherry and use it as rootstock. It is also popular to graft hardy apricots to.

The Empress Tree is a fast growing, ornamental shade tree. It has purple, fragrant flowers that are quite attractive. The flowers emerge before the leaves in early spring. The leaves of this tree can grow very large, up to 30 cm long.

As one of the fastest growing trees in the world, this tree has been given considerable attention for carbon sequestration projects. It drops many seeds which can make it invasive in warmer climates. Please do some research and plant the right tree in the right place.

The Empress tree’s genus name comes from Princess Paulowna, daughter of Tsar Paul I of Russia.

Western Sand Cherry Quick Facts

Empress Tree Quick Facts

Zone: 2a
Zone: 5a
Height: 0.9 m (3 ft)
Height: 9 m (30 ft)
Spread: 2.1 m (7 ft)
Spread: 9 m (30 ft)
Light: any
Light: full sun
Moisture: dry, normal
Moisture: normal
Growth rate: medium
Growth rate: very fast
Life span: medium
Life span: medium
Suckering: medium
Suckering: medium


Foliage: grey-green
Fall colour: reddish-orange
Flowers: white
Flowers: light purple
Berries: small purple cherries
Hybrid: no
Hybrid: no
Catkins: no
Catkins: no


Native to: SK, MB, ON
Other Names: chinese empress tree, foxglove tree, princess tree, royal paulownia