Empress Tree vs Buttonbush - TreeTime.ca

Empress Tree vs Buttonbush

Cephalanthus occidentalis

Paulownia tomentosa

CUSTOM GROW

Buttonbush
Empress Tree

Buttonbush is a moisture loving shrub that provides year round interest.

It has round, fragrant flowers resembling small buttons or pincushions. The flowers transform into small reddish-brown fruit that persists into winter while the leaves take on shades of red in fall.

Providing essential food to bees, butterflies, and other insects, this shrub is versatile. Try it in your next shrub border.

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.

Buttonbush Quick Facts

Empress Tree Quick Facts

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Zone: 4a
Zone: 5a
Height: 2.4 m (8 ft)
Height: 9 m (30 ft)
Spread: 1.5 m (5 ft)
Spread: 9 m (30 ft)
Light: any
Light: full sun
Moisture: normal, wet
Moisture: normal
Growth rate: medium
Growth rate: very fast
Life span: long
Life span: medium
Suckering: low
Suckering: medium
Maintenance: medium
Maintenance: high


Flowers: large, white, spherical
Flowers: light purple
Hybrid: no
Hybrid: no
Catkins: no
Catkins: no


Native to: ON, QC, NS, NB
Other Names: chinese empress tree, foxglove tree, princess tree, royal paulownia