Catalpa bignonioides (Catalpa bungei) 'NANA'

Catalpas have been grown in our country for many years. The species may be found in every larger city as an important feature of a city park. It offers outstanding points of interest such as large leaves in summer and long cigar-shaped seed pods in winter, hence its name Indian Bean Tree.

Nana variety is a lot different to the species. It can be found under its second Latin name catalpa bungei. It is a small tree that can be considered dwarf as opposed to its parent. It was bred to achieve an attractive tree with exceptional foliage but of reduced size to fit even a small garden or a front yard. The heart-shaped leaves are light to mid-green and soft. The tree keeps it compact, rounded crown without pruning. It grows medium fast and very dense. This variety does not produce flowers.

Just one thing has to be observed: summer mildew. When the weather is warm and wet, usually beginning of summer, the leaves may be affected by mildew infection which is manifested by small grayish white spots that quickly spread throughout the entire leaf. Once you see the spots treat the leaves with a fungicide (with copper content). Otherwise the leaves will remain covered with the mildew film until the autumn.

Catalpas are not too picky about pH or soil type. However, they will respond well to good, well-drained soil. Our catalpas performed exceptionally well even on clay and withstood temporary water-logging. They do not suffer from air-pollution and adverse conditions. Fully hardy to approx. -28°C (USDA zone 5).