DECIDUOUS ORNAMENTAL TREES. 245 



THE PAULOWNIA TREE. Paulownia. 



Nat. Ord. JScrophulariuceae. Lin. Syst. 



The Paulownia is an entirely new ornamental tree, ver} 

 lately introduced into our gardens and pleasure-grounds 

 from Japan, and is likely to prove hardy here, wherever 

 the Ailantus stands the winter, being naturally from the 

 same soil and climate as that tree. It is remarkable for 

 the large size of its foliage, and the great rapidity of its 

 growth. The largest leaves are more than two feet in 

 diameter, slightly rough or hairy, and serrated on the 

 edges. They are heart-shaped, and have been likened to 

 those of the Catalpa, but they perhaps more nearly re- 

 semble those of the common Sun-flower. 



In its growth, this tree, while young, equals or exceeds 

 the Ailantus. In rich soils, near Paris, it has produced 

 shoots, in a single season, 12 or 14 feet in length. After 

 being two or three years planted, it commences yielding 

 its blossoms in panicled clusters. These are bluish lilac, 

 of an open mouthed, tubular form, are very abundantly 

 distributed, and, together with the large foliage, and the 

 robust habit of growth, give this tree a gay and striking 

 appearance. Its flower buds open during the last of 

 April, or early in May, and have a slight, syringa-like 

 perfume. 



Should the Paulownia prove as hardy as (from our fine 

 dry summers for ripening its wood) we confidently 

 anticipate* it will be worthy of a prominent place in every 

 arrangement of choice ornamental trees. 



* We doubt if this tree proves quite as hardy as Mr. Downing believed. 

 Our own trees, some of the oldest in the country, have missed their bloom for 

 three years though previously, they had blossomed regularly and well. It 

 is not impossible that, as the tree gets older, and its growth less rampant, it 

 may ripen off its wood better, and thus be in a better condition to resist 

 Spring frost?. H. W. S. 



