Side by side
Foxglove tree or Indian bean tree? How to tell them apart
Paulownia tomentosa · Catalpa bignonioides
How to tell them apart – foxglove tree: fast-growing tree with huge, velvety, heart-shaped leaves and purple bell flowers in May, before the leaves; Indian bean tree: leaves often in threes and less hairy, white flowers in July and long, thin ‘beans’.
How do you recognise them?
- Foxglove tree
- Fast-growing tree with huge, velvety, heart-shaped leaves and purple bell flowers in May, before the leaves.
- Indian bean tree
- Very large heart-shaped leaves, often in threes; long ‘beans’ that hang on through winter.
- Compared with foxglove tree: leaves often in threes and less hairy; white flowers in July and long, thin ‘beans’.
| Foxglove tree | Indian bean tree | |
|---|---|---|
| Leaves | Opposite, 15–30 cm (up to 60 cm on young shoots), broadly heart-shaped, untoothed or with a few angular lobes, softly hairy on both sides. | Opposite or in whorls of 3, broadly heart-shaped and untoothed, 15–30 cm. Smells unpleasant when crushed. Comes into leaf late (June). |
| Flowering | Upright panicles of fragrant, lavender-blue bell flowers in May. The brown, felted buds are ready all winter (April–May). | Upright panicles of white trumpet flowers with yellow and purple spots (July) (July). |
| Fruit | Egg-shaped, pointed, woody capsules (3–4 cm) full of winged seeds. | Thin, bean-like pods 20–40 cm that hang on all winter. |
| Bark | Greyish-brown and smooth, with pale dots (lenticels). | Grey-brown, in thin scales. |
| Shape and height | Broadleaf tree, 10–15 m | Broadleaf tree, 10–15 m |
| Site | Full sun, any garden soil, normal | Full sun, any garden soil, normal |
| Native to Belgium | No, planted | No, planted |
| Good for bees, butterflies and birds | Yes, for bees | Yes, for bees |
| Poisonous to people and pets | Not known to be poisonous | Not known to be poisonous |
| Pruning months | February–March | February–March |
What does it mean for your garden?
- Choose what suits your soil, your light and the space you have: see the growing conditions in the table.
Read on
- Plant profile: Foxglove tree
- Plant profile: Indian bean tree
- Foxglove tree: when and how to prune
- Indian bean tree: when and how to prune
- Identification key: the question that separates them
Also looks like
- Common lilac or Indian bean tree
- Trumpet vine or Indian bean tree
- Indian bean tree or large-leaved lime
Identify by feature
This comparison is compiled from the Bladwijzer species pages.