Nannyberry vs Northern Catalpa (Cigar Tree) - TreeTime.ca

Nannyberry vs Northern Catalpa (Cigar Tree)

Viburnum lentago

Catalpa speciosa

NOT AVAILABLE THIS SEASON - MIGHT RETURN

NOT AVAILABLE THIS SEASON - MIGHT RETURN

Nannyberry
Northern Catalpa (Cigar Tree)

Nannyberry is a hardy shrub known for attracting wildlife. Its clusters of white flowers and tasty berries are suitable for bees, birds, and other animals.

Nannyberry is also used in urban yards and landscaping. This shrub makes a beautiful ornamental and is small enough to grow underneath power lines. Its berries can be eaten fresh or used in baking and preserves.

Makes a great hedge or privacy screen in an urban yard. Often has great red fall color to complement its spring flowers.

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.

Nannyberry Quick Facts

Northern Catalpa (Cigar Tree) Quick Facts

Zone: 2b
Zone: 4a
Height: 5 m (15 ft)
Height: 15 m (50 ft)
Spread: 3 m (10 ft)
Spread: 9 m (30 ft)
Light: partial shade, full sun
Light: partial shade, full sun
Moisture: any
Moisture: normal, wet
Growth rate: medium
Growth rate: medium
Life span: short
Life span: long
Suckering: medium
Suckering: low
Maintenance: medium


Bark: gray and scaly
Flowers: white
Flowers: white
Berries: red to purple
Hybrid: no
Hybrid: no
Catkins: no
Catkins: no


Other Names: sheepberry, sweet viburnum
Other Names: cigar tree, hardy catalpa, western catalpa