Empress Tree vs Hardy Banana - TreeTime.ca

Empress Tree vs Hardy Banana

Paulownia tomentosa

Musa basjoo

COMING SOON

(new stock expected: fall of 2025)

CUSTOM GROW

Empress Tree
Hardy Banana

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.

The Hardy Banana is a fast-growing evergreen perennial that dies down to the ground each year. A stunning tropical-looking accent for your yard and patio, the Japanese Fiber Banana can be overwintered outdoors in several northern U.S. states and southern Canadian regions. In northern regions, you can bring this plant inside and leave it in your garage. If you enjoy Mexican cuisine, you can use the leaves to make tamales.

Empress Tree Quick Facts

Hardy Banana Quick Facts

Zone: 5a
Zone: 5a
Height: 9 m (30 ft)
Height: 3 m (10 ft)
Spread: 9 m (30 ft)
Spread: 2.4 m (8 ft)
Light: full sun
Light: full sun
Moisture: normal
Moisture: normal, wet
Growth rate: very fast
Growth rate: very fast
Life span: medium
Life span: short
Suckering: medium
Suckering: high
Maintenance: high
Maintenance: medium


Flowers: light purple
Flowers: large cream to yellow
Fruit: Large inedible
Hybrid: no
Hybrid: no
Catkins: no
Catkins: no


Other Names: chinese empress tree, foxglove tree, princess tree, royal paulownia
Other Names: japanese banana, japanese fibre banana