Fortune Royal Empress Tree (Paulownia Fortunei)

One of the fastest-growing trees in the world. It is often grown for its hardwood timber. In the spring, it produces beautiful purple flowers with purple centers before leafing out. This is the non-invasive variety. According to the world paulownia site, in late spring large, green heart-shaped leaves form creating a lush green canopy. Fortunei is deciduous and will lose its leaves in the fall. All Paulownia varieties prefer well-drained soils and will not tolerate wetland or land that floods.