Autumn Brilliance Saskatoon (Serviceberry) vs Northern Catalpa (Cigar Tree) - TreeTime.ca

Autumn Brilliance Saskatoon (Serviceberry) vs Northern Catalpa (Cigar Tree)

Catalpa speciosa

Amelanchier x grandiflora Autumn Brilliance

NOT AVAILABLE THIS SEASON - MIGHT RETURN

NOT AVAILABLE THIS SEASON - MIGHT RETURN

Northern Catalpa (Cigar Tree)
Autumn Brilliance Saskatoon (Serviceberry)

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.

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.

Northern Catalpa (Cigar Tree) Quick Facts

Autumn Brilliance Saskatoon (Serviceberry) Quick Facts

Zone: 4a
Zone: 3a
Height: 15 m (50 ft)
Height: 8 m (25 ft)
Spread: 9 m (30 ft)
Spread: 5 m (15 ft)
Light: partial shade, full sun
Light: partial shade, full sun
Moisture: normal, wet
Moisture: normal
Growth rate: medium
Growth rate: fast
Life span: long
Life span: short
Suckering: low
Suckering: medium
Maintenance: medium


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


Native to: AB, BC, SK, MB, ON, YT, NT
Other Names: cigar tree, hardy catalpa, western catalpa