Princess tree Paulownia fortunei Fast Blue = 'Minfast'
![paulownia [Fast Blue]](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fplants-admin.emdemapps.com%2Fimages%2Fplants%2F%2Fimages%2F604b606215268.png&w=3840&q=75)
ABOUT
Paulownia fortunei Fast Blue, commonly referred to as Princess Tree, showcases a striking appearance with its lush, large, heart-shaped leaves that exhibit a vibrant green coloration. These leaves often provide a dense and wide canopy, creating an attractive, shade-giving profile. During its flowering season, the Princess Tree produces an abundance of bell-shaped blossoms that range in color from lavender to deep blue, and these flowers are known for their showy display and fragrant aroma. The blooms cluster into panicles, adding a powerful visual impact to the plant's overall aesthetics. The tree's bark is relatively smooth with a greyish tint, providing a subtle but pleasant contrast to the often brightly colored flowers and green foliage. As the tree matures, it may develop a spreading habit, with branches that extend outward, giving the tree a full and robust presence in the landscape. The overall appearance of the Princess Tree exudes a sense of royal elegance and can serve as a focal point in gardens and landscapes where its ornamental qualities are desired.
About this plant
NamesSynonyms
Fortune's Empress Tree, Fast Blue Paulownia, Sapphire Dragon Tree.
Common names
Paulownia fortunei.
ToxicityTo humans
Paulownia, also known as the Empress Tree or Princess Tree, is not commonly known to be toxic to humans. There is limited information available on severe health consequences resulting from ingesting the plant. It is always advisable to exercise caution and prevent children from ingesting parts of any ornamental plants as a general safety practice.
To pets
Similar to its effects on humans, Paulownia, also known as the Empress Tree or Princess Tree, does not appear to be highly toxic to pets. However, as with any non-food plant, it is sensible to prevent pets from consuming parts of this tree to avoid potential gastrointestinal upset or other mild reactions. If a pet does consume part of the plant and shows signs of illness, it is recommended to consult a veterinarian.
CharacteristicsLife cycle
Perennials
Foliage type
Deciduous
Color of leaves
Green
Flower color
Lavender
Height
10 feet (3 meters)
Spread
10 feet (3 meters)
Plant type
Tree
Hardiness zones
5
Native area
China
Benefits
General Benefits- Rapid Growth: The Paulownia fortunei Fast Blue is known for its quick growth rate, making it an efficient choice for timber production or achieving a mature landscape in a short period.
- Shade Provider: With its broad leaves and dense canopy, it offers ample shade in gardens and public spaces, helping to cool surrounding areas.
- Ornamental Value: The tree produces showy, fragrant flowers that add aesthetic value and beauty to the landscape.
- Drought Tolerance: Once established, it is relatively drought-tolerant, requiring minimal watering and maintenance in arid conditions.
- Erosion Control: Its robust root system helps to stabilize soil and prevent erosion on slopes or in areas prone to soil degradation.
- Adaptability: Paulownia fortunei Fast Blue adapts to a range of soil types, though it prefers well-drained soils, making it a versatile choice for various planting sites.
- Carbon Sequestration: Being a fast-growing plant, it is effective in capturing and storing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, contributing to the reduction of greenhouse gases.
Medical PropertiesThis plant is not used for medical purposes.
Air-purifying QualitiesThis plant is not specifically known for air purifying qualities.
Other Uses- Soundboards for musical instruments: The wood of the Paulownia tree is prized for its use in making the soundboards of stringed instruments such as guitars and kotos due to its lightweight and resonant qualities.
- Surfboards: Being both light and strong, Paulownia wood is sometimes used to manufacture surfboards, making them easier to handle and maneuver in the water.
- Bees and honey production: The flowers of Paulownia are a rich nectar source, which can be excellent for beekeeping and honey production with a unique flavor profile.
- Biomass and bioenergy: Paulownia trees grow rapidly, so they can be harvested for biomass energy production in a shorter cycle than many other trees.
- Greenhouse construction: Because of its resistance to decay and light weight, Paulownia wood is sometimes used in the building of greenhouses where humidity control is necessary.
- Agroforestry practices: Utilized in intercropping systems, Paulownia can provide shade to more sensitive crops, improving overall productivity and land use efficiency.
- Beehive construction: The light weight and insulating properties of Paulownia wood make it a good choice for constructing beehives.
- Wood carving and craft: Paulownia is easily workable, making it a favored material for wood carving and craft activities, creating sculptures and decorative objects.
- Royal gifts in Japan: In Japanese tradition, Paulownia boxes are used to house presents, reflecting the tree's association with elegance and respect.
- Windbreaks and erosion control: Due to its fast-growing habit, Paulownia trees can be planted as windbreaks or to help control soil erosion on steep slopes and banks.
Interesting Facts
Feng ShuiThe Empress Tree is not used in Feng Shui practice.
Zodiac Sign CompitabilityThe Empress Tree is not used in astrology practice.
Plant Symbolism- Regal Presence: Paulownia, also known as the Empress Tree, symbolizes regality and noble status, as in China, it is traditionally associated with the empress and is planted when a girl is born, to be used for items in her dowry.
- Wealth and Fortune: The name 'fortunei' suggests an association with prosperity, making it a symbol of good fortune and success.
- Resilience: The Empress Tree is known for its fast growth and ability to thrive even in poor conditions, symbolizing the ability to rise above adversity.
- Generosity: With its broad leaves and tendency to provide a large canopy, it symbolizes generosity and the giving of shade and shelter.
- Environmental Healing: As a species that is often planted for reforestation and to improve air quality, it represents healing and environmental care.
WaterFor the Princess Tree (Paulownia fortunei), it is important to water the plant deeply but infrequently to encourage strong root growth. During the growing season, water the tree with approximately 2 gallons of water once a week. Adjust the amount of water depending on rainfall, more during dry spells and less when it's rainy. Reduce watering frequency to once every two weeks as the tree becomes established. Always check the soil moisture; the top 2 inches should be dry before you water again.
LightThe Princess Tree prefers full sun conditions with at least six hours of direct sunlight daily. The best spot for this plant is in an open area where it has ample exposure to sunlight throughout the day. Avoid placing it in shaded or partially shaded areas, as this can hinder its growth and flowering potential.
TemperatureThe Princess Tree thrives in a wide range of temperatures, tolerating a minimum temperature of about 20 degrees Fahrenheit and a maximum temperature well above 100 degrees Fahrenheit. The ideal temperature for promoting healthy growth is between 60 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit. Ensure the tree is not exposed to prolonged periods of frost which could cause damage.
PruningPrune the Princess Tree to shape it and control its size, as it can grow quickly. The best time to prune is in late winter or early spring before the new growth starts. Thin out crowded branches and remove any that are dead, diseased, or damaged. Annual pruning helps maintain the tree's health and enhances its appearance.
CleaningAs needed
SoilEmpress Tree prefers a well-draining, loamy soil mix with a pH range of 6.5 to 7.5. Amending soil with compost or aged manure will enhance fertility and structure.
RepottingThe Empress Tree should generally be repotted every 2 to 3 years to prevent root crowding and to replenish the nutrient content of the soil.
Humidity & MistingEmpress Tree thrives in moderate to high humidity levels, ideally between 40% to 70%.
Suitable locationsIndoor
Use bright, indirect light and well-draining soil for indoor Empress Trees.
Outdoor
Plant in full sun to partial shade, in rich, moist, well-draining soil.
Hardiness zone
5-9 USDA
Life cyclePaulownia fortunei 'Fast Blue', commonly known as the Princess Tree or Empress Tree, begins its life as a seed, which germinates in ideal conditions of warmth and moisture, leading to the emergence of a small seedling with its first set of true leaves. As the seedling matures into a young sapling, it exhibits rapid growth, leveraging adequate sunlight, water, and nutrients to develop a sturdy stem and a leafy canopy. The tree reaches maturity within several years, distinguishing itself with heart-shaped leaves and producing characteristic lavender-blue flowers in the spring, which are pollinated by insects, leading to the formation of seed capsules. After flowering, the tree enters a period of fruiting where the capsules dry and release numerous tiny, winged seeds, which are dispersed by the wind to colonize new areas. As a fast-growing species, Paulownia fortunei 'Fast Blue' can reach harvestable size within a short span, and after reaching its peak reproductive phase, it can be propagated through cuttings or layering to produce new plants. Finally, as the tree ages, it may become less productive and eventually die, completing its life cycle, but not before potentially having produced several generations of new trees through its prolific seed production.
PropogationPropogation time
Spring-Early Summer
Propogation: Paulownia fortunei Fast Blue, commonly referred to as Princess Tree, is most commonly propagated using seeds, although it can also be propagated through root cuttings or tissue culture methods. The most favored method among these is seed propagation which is typically carried out in the late winter or early spring. To propagate the Princess Tree from seed, the small seeds are first collected from mature capsules that form after the flowering season. These seeds are then sown thinly onto the surface of a well-draining seed starting mix, gently pressed into the soil, and covered with a light dusting of the mix or fine sand. The seeds require plenty of light to germinate, so they should not be buried deeply. The substrate should be kept moist but not waterlogged, and at a temperature range of 65 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit (18 to 24 degrees Celsius). Germination usually occurs within two to four weeks under these conditions, after which the seedlings can be carefully transplanted into individual pots once they are large enough to handle.
