Empress Tree vs Autumn Brilliance Saskatoon (Serviceberry) - TreeTime.ca

Empress Tree vs Autumn Brilliance Saskatoon (Serviceberry)

Paulownia tomentosa

Amelanchier x grandiflora Autumn Brilliance

NOT AVAILABLE THIS SEASON - MIGHT RETURN

NOT AVAILABLE THIS SEASON - MIGHT RETURN

Empress Tree
Autumn Brilliance Saskatoon (Serviceberry)

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.

Prized for its brilliant orange-red fall color and disease resistance, this exceptionally bright tree is an excellent focal point for your garden. In the spring, clusters of fragrant white flowers give way to edible purplish black fruit that is heavenly in jams, jellies and pies. Use this Saskatoon in shrub borders or as a small tree.

Empress Tree Quick Facts

Autumn Brilliance Saskatoon (Serviceberry) Quick Facts

Zone: 5a
Zone: 3a
Height: 9 m (30 ft)
Height: 8 m (25 ft)
Spread: 9 m (30 ft)
Spread: 5 m (15 ft)
Light: full sun
Light: partial shade, full sun
Moisture: normal
Moisture: normal
Growth rate: very fast
Growth rate: fast
Life span: medium
Life span: short
Suckering: medium
Suckering: medium


Fall colour: gold to red
Flowers: light purple
Berries: deep purple and sweet
Hybrid: no
Hybrid: no
Catkins: no
Catkins: no


Native to: AB, BC, SK, MB, ON, YT, NT
Other Names: chinese empress tree, foxglove tree, princess tree, royal paulownia