Northern Catalpa (Cigar Tree) vs Katherine Havemeyer Lilac - TreeTime.ca

Northern Catalpa (Cigar Tree) vs Katherine Havemeyer Lilac

Catalpa speciosa

Syringa vulgaris Katherine Havemeyer

NOT AVAILABLE THIS SEASON - MIGHT RETURN

COMING SOON

(new stock expected: fall of 2026)

Northern Catalpa (Cigar Tree)
Katherine Havemeyer Lilac

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.

Katherine Havemeyer Lilac is a cold hardy French lilac known for its highly fragrant, double flowers. The buds start as a lavender-purple and give way to soft pink blooms that have double the number of petals compared to other Lilacs. The flowers bloom in late spring and can last up to 3-4 weeks.

The Katherine Havemeyer lilac, like other lilacs, is deer-resistant. The flowers are known for attracting hummingbirds, bees, and other pollinators to your landscape.

Northern Catalpa (Cigar Tree) Quick Facts

Katherine Havemeyer Lilac Quick Facts

Zone: 4a
Zone: 3a
Height: 15 m (50 ft)
Height: 4 m (12 ft)
Spread: 9 m (30 ft)
Spread: 2.7 m (9 ft)
Light: partial shade, full sun
Light: full sun
Moisture: normal, wet
Moisture: dry, normal
Growth rate: medium
Growth rate: medium
Life span: long
Life span: short
Suckering: low
Suckering: medium
Maintenance: medium
Maintenance: medium


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


Other Names: cigar tree, hardy catalpa, western catalpa
Other Names: katherine havemeyer french lilac