Empress Tree vs Beauty of Moscow Lilac - TreeTime.ca

Empress Tree vs Beauty of Moscow Lilac

Paulownia tomentosa

Syringa vulgaris Beauty of Moscow (Syringa vulgaris Krasavitsa Moskvy)

NOT AVAILABLE THIS SEASON - MIGHT RETURN

COMING SOON

(new stock expected: fall of 2026)

Empress Tree
Beauty of Moscow Lilac

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.

Beauty of Moscow Lilac is a flowering shrub known for its highly fragrant, double flowers. The buds start as a pale pink and give way white blooms that have double the number of petals compared to other Lilacs. While the flowers are mostly white they can often take on a subtle pink blush.

The striking blooms, abundant flowers, and long bloom time make the Beauty of Moscow Lilac one of the top Lilac cultivars. The flowers are known for attracting hummingbirds, bees, and other pollinators to your landscape.

Empress Tree Quick Facts

Beauty of Moscow Lilac Quick Facts

Zone: 5a
Zone: 3a
Height: 9 m (30 ft)
Height: 4 m (12 ft)
Spread: 9 m (30 ft)
Spread: 2.4 m (8 ft)
Light: full sun
Light: partial shade, full sun
Moisture: normal
Moisture: dry, normal
Growth rate: very fast
Growth rate: medium
Life span: medium
Life span: short
Suckering: medium
Suckering: medium
Maintenance: high
Maintenance: medium


Flowers: light purple
Flowers: white to pale pink
Hybrid: no
Hybrid: no
Catkins: no
Catkins: no


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