Paulownia kawakamii

A very unusual and highly endangered species from Taiwan; probably the finest species in flower and very rarely seen in cultivation. A very fast growing, drought tolerant, hardy, small deciduous tree, best in full sun. Long panicles of large, fragrant, lilac-blue foxglove-like flowers, heavily spotted inside, are very heavily borne on the bare branches in May. I know of no other species that flowers so heavily in the UK. Typically huge leaves have a sticky hairiness.