Southern Catalpa

Catalpa bignonioides

Bignoniaceae · broadleaf · introduced

Quick Facts

Height

30–40 ft

Growth Rate

Fast

Light

Sun to Part Shade

Soil

Well Drained

Water

Low

Hardiness

Zone Zones 5a–8b

Bloom Time

May to June

Origin

Georgia, Florida, Alabama, and Mississippi

Stage	Typical Window	What to Look For
Bud break BBCH 07	Feb 15-Mar 15	Buds swelling and beginning to open; first green tissue visible
Leaf emergence BBCH 11	Mar 1-Apr 1	First leaves fully unfurled on new growth
Bloom start BBCH 61	Apr 1-Apr 30	First open flowers visible; flowers white
Bloom end / petal fall BBCH 69	Apr 15-May 15	Last petals falling; flower structures fading
Fruit/seed development BBCH 71	Jun 1-Aug 31	Fruit or seed structures forming; fruit color: green
Leaf drop BBCH 93	Oct 15-Nov 30	Leaves yellowing and dropping; no significant fall color display
Dormancy BBCH 97	Nov 15-Feb 28	Leafless; no active growth; dormant buds set