Mystery Tree Identified: Royal Paulownia (Princess Tree)

Fast-Growing Shade Tree with Lavender Flowers: Paulownia

Your neighbor’s tree with large leaves, foxglove-like lavender flowers, and rapid growth is Paulownia tomentosa (Royal Paulownia, Empress Tree, Princess Tree, Kiri Tree). Native to Asia, naturalized in 33 US states.

Key Traits

• Grows 5+ ft/year—measurable daily in season.
• Showy fragrant lavender-blue flowers in spring.
• Huge leaves (elephant-ear size).
• Valuable timber for furniture, instruments, etc.
• Easy to propagate: 12-inch cuttings root in water or moist soil with rooting hormone.

If you want shade fast, this is it. But it can be invasive—check local regulations.