Russian Almond vs Northern Catalpa (Cigar Tree) - TreeTime.ca

Russian Almond vs Northern Catalpa (Cigar Tree)

Prunus tenella

Catalpa speciosa

Russian Almond
Northern Catalpa (Cigar Tree)

Russian Almond is a low maintenance, short, slightly suckering shrub. It is covered with attractive, bright pink flowers in early spring before its foliage emerges.

This hardy species forms dense thickets attracts wildlife. Russian Almond prefers full sun and well-drained soils, but can tolerate moist soils.

The nuts it produces are quite attractive but very small. They are bitter and possibly toxic in large quantities.

Check out our YouTube channel video of the Russian Almond here.

Northern Catalpa is a striking feature tree with showy flowers, and very large leaves. Its orchid-like flowers are white with yellow and purple accents, and they have a pleasant fragrance. They bloom from late spring to early summer and can last up to two weeks, attracting hummingbirds and pollinators. The leaves are very large, ranging from 15-30 cm long, 12-20 cm wide, forming a canopy that makes it a good shade tree.

They can tolerate dry conditions as well as standing water, air pollution, and salt. These factors and its beauty contribute to its growing popularity as both a boulevard and ornamental tree in colder areas.

Northern Catalpa produces long bean-like capsules and are sometimes called the Cigar Tree in reference to this fruit.

Russian Almond Quick Facts

Northern Catalpa (Cigar Tree) Quick Facts

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Zone: 2a
Zone: 4a
Height: 1.5 m (5 ft)
Height: 15 m (50 ft)
Spread: 1.2 m (4 ft)
Spread: 9 m (30 ft)
Moisture: dry, normal
Moisture: normal, wet
Light: partial shade, full sun
Light: partial shade, full sun
Hybrid: no
Hybrid: no
Catkins: no
Catkins: no
Flowers: bright pink
Flowers: white
Nuts: small fuzzy nuts
Growth rate: medium
Growth rate: medium
Life span: short
Life span: long
Maintenance: medium
Suckering: medium
Suckering: low




Other Names: dwarf russian almond
Other Names: cigar tree, hardy catalpa, western catalpa