The deciduous Golden Indian Bean Tree (Catalpa) has large, exotic leaves, upright panicles of bell-shaped flowers in late summer, followed by slender, ornamental seed pods in autumn. Left to grow, it can reach heights of 12m, but when regularly pollarded, makes a fantastic large shrub at the back of a border. Here's how to prune your catalpa.
White flowers of 'Purpurea' look striking against its purple-black leaves
Image: Catalpa x erubescens 'Purpurea' from Thompson & Morgan
For regular catalpa trees, prune between late autumn and late winter when they're dormant. They respond well to hard pruning so don't be afraid to take out larger branches if needed. Remember to always make a cut just above a bud and at an angle facing away from the bud.
If you want to pollard your catalpa, you're in luck – it's one of just a few trees that respond well to this treatment. Not only does it restrict the height to that of a large shrub, it encourages the catalpa to produce larger and more striking leaves.
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