Empress Tree Seeds (Paulownia elongata)
Empress Tree Seeds (Paulownia elongata)
Fast rise. Regal presence.
Paulownia elongata, the Empress Tree, is one of the fastest-growing hardwoods in the world—capable of shooting up to 15 feet in a single year under ideal conditions. With its enormous heart-shaped leaves and fragrant, foxglove-like lavender blooms, it’s both a reforestation powerhouse and a striking ornamental choice.
- Native to China
- Produces light, rot-resistant timber prized for furniture and instruments
- Lavender flower clusters bloom in early spring before leaf-out
- Thrives in poor soils and recovers quickly from cutting or coppicing
Growing Details
- Botanical Name: Paulownia elongata
- Stratification: Not required; light aids germination
- USDA Zones: 5–9 (may die back in colder zones and regrow from roots)
- Soil: Well-drained; tolerates poor, sandy, or rocky soils
- Light: Full sun
- Height: 30–70 feet
- Spread: 20–30 feet
- Growth Rate: Extremely fast (up to 15 ft/year under ideal conditions)
FAQ
Do Empress Tree seeds need stratification?
No. Stratification is not required, but light exposure helps improve germination rates.
How fast will it grow?
Under ideal conditions, seedlings can grow 10–15 feet in a single season, making it one of the fastest-growing hardwoods.
Is it hardy?
Yes. It may die back to the roots in colder zones but typically resprouts vigorously each spring.
Related Seeds
Explore other ornamental and fast-growing flowering trees:
- Mimosa Tree Seeds (Albizia julibrissin)
- Eastern Redbud Tree Seeds (Cercis canadensis)
- Weeping Higan Cherry Tree Seeds (Prunus subhirtella var. pendula)
Evergreen Seed Co. is trusted by growers nationwide for rare, resilient, and high-germination tree seeds. Each order is carefully sourced, tested, and packaged with full planting instructions.
FAQ
FAQ
Do you pre-stratify the seeds?
Most of our seeds are not pre-stratified. We ship them unstratified so you can control germination timing based on your local growing season. We sell to all 50 U.S. states and Canadian provinces, and since each region has different planting windows, pre-stratifying would risk seeds germinating in transit or before you're ready to plant.
True stratification requires cold, moist conditions, which can lead to premature sprouting or mold if not timed properly. To avoid this, we store most seeds in dry cold conditions to preserve viability — but this does not initiate stratification.
Do any of your seeds need to stay moist? (Recalcitrant seeds)
Yes — some species we offer are recalcitrant, meaning they must remain moist to stay viable and cannot be dried out. Examples include: Chestnut, Hazelnut, Paw Paw, etc.
These seeds are shipped in moist cold storage and are clearly labeled on the product page when applicable. Please refrigerate immediately upon arrival and follow included care instructions.
Do you ship internationally?
We currently ship to the United States and Canada only. Unfortunately, we cannot ship to other countries without a phytosanitary certificate, which is required by most international customs agencies.
If you're interested in shipping outside North America, please contact us. Note that a phytosanitary certificate typically adds $60–$80 USD per seed type and must be arranged in advance.
Shipping & What's Included
Shipping & What's Included
Shipping & Packaging
Hand-packed in resealable zipper kraft paper seed bags
Stratification and planting instructions included with every order
1 free bonus seed pack included with every order
Ships within 3–5 business days via USPS
Return Policy
Return Policy
Due to the nature of our products, we do not accept returns on seeds.
However, if your order arrives damaged or incorrect, please contact us within 7 days and we’ll make it right.
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