Purple Leaf Sand Cherry vs Empress Tree - TreeTime.ca

Purple Leaf Sand Cherry vs Empress Tree

Prunus x cistena

Paulownia tomentosa

CUSTOM GROW

NOT AVAILABLE THIS SEASON - MIGHT RETURN

Purple Leaf Sand Cherry
Empress Tree

Purple Leaf Sand Cherry provides bright reddish-purple leaves that turn bronze-green in the fall. In the spring, tiny flowers with a pinkish white hue bloom. The flowers are small, but the impact comes from the shrub blossoming all at once.

The Purple leaf sand cherry can be susceptible to pests and diseases in more humid areas; a typical life span is approximately 15 years. Not suitable for a privacy hedge on its own but is often alternated with lilacs. Often used as an accent plant that attracts birds and bees.

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.

Purple Leaf Sand Cherry Quick Facts

Empress Tree Quick Facts

Zone: 3a
Zone: 5a
Height: 1.8 m (6 ft)
Height: 9 m (30 ft)
Spread: 1.8 m (6 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: short
Life span: medium
Suckering: low
Suckering: medium
Maintenance: high

Toxicity: the leaves and seed are slightly toxic

Foliage: purple leaves
Fall colour: dark red
Bark: dark red to purple
Flowers: pinkish
Flowers: light purple
Fruit: dark red fruit
Hybrid: no
Hybrid: no
Catkins: no
Catkins: no


Other Names: purpleleaf sandcherry
Other Names: chinese empress tree, foxglove tree, princess tree, royal paulownia