Catalpa (or is is Catalpha) Tree

Hello,
I've been watching HGTV again. (gives me too many ideas)
Does anyone know anything about Catalpa Tree? Sounded like a fast growing plant that could give me some quick greenery.
As with most of these shows they didn't give me enough information.
As I am starting from scratch at a new home I would like some things that would look nice in a short period of time.
Another one they mentioned was Southern Wood???? Looked like a tall plant (maybe 6 feet or more) with very soft textured leaves.
I'll be surfing the net, but thought someone here may have some first hand knowledge.

I think it's a type of Indian bean tree. Southern wood I believe is Oxydendron (but don't know if that's the way to spell it, probably not) :-)

I have two northern catalpas. I have had them for about three years. They have a beautiful little flower in the spring. It looks like an orchid.

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Every week I fight with DH to watch these gardening shows. I wish they'd show them when golf wasn't on! Well today I won .... well actually he fell asleep and I got to change the channel on him. Here's a couple of links for the catalpa tree & Southern wood. I have a Southern wood plant but it never seems to get that big. Maybe I should give him a new spot. I traded for some catalpa tree seeds this year and they started very easily. However, I don't know how long it will take to actually become a tree. The flowers look really pretty.

http://www.sierra.com/...


http://gardening.sierrahome.com/encyc/display/.....

The Southern Catalpa, also called Catawba, and Indian-bean is a short-trunked tree with a broad, round crown of branches, large, heart-shaped leaves, large clusters of showy white flowers and long, beanlike fruit, grows to a maximum height of 50 feet. The leaves are a dull green above and paler and covered with soft hairs beneath, turning blackish in autumn. The flowers are 1-1/2" long with bell-shaped corolla of 5 unequal rounded fringed lobes, white with 2 orange stripes and many purple spots and stripes inside, slightly fragrant in upright branches in clusters to 10" long. To me, from the distance, they appear lavender.
They like moist soils in open areas such as roadsides and clearings. Catlapa is the American Indian name, while the scientific name refers to a related vine with flowers of similar shape.
The Northern Catalpa is very similar with larger flowers about 2-2 1/4 inches long. It likes moist valley soils by streams, naturalized in open areas such as roadsides also.
In NC, we see them along the interstates, and other wide roads, especially if a river or stream is nearby.

Thanks Everyone for all the help. I have decided that these two plants are definitely must haves for me.

PATTY, how small was your plant when you planted it? How fast would you say it grew a year? I found a source that has a bare root Southern Catalpa (according to them Catalpa bignonioides) for $5.95.
They also have a Catalpa bignonioides "Aurea" Golden Catalpa; says it has leaves a rich and persistent yellow throughout the summer. This one only comes in a 1 gallon size 1'-2' and is $22.00.
Then they have one they call Catalpa speciosa Indian Bean
again available bare root $5.95 and 1 Gallon 2'-3' $8.00.

PATTY, if you find you have some seed, I would love to trade for some for my 10 year old son. He is taking a Junior Master Gardener class .......... lucky me I get to tag along.

Kathy

I live on thiry acres and Catalpa trees grow wild here. Think huge, cause they get as big as oaks and sycamores. If you have a small lot, in short time all you will have is a shade garden. They can seed everywhere (9 inch seed pods in the fall). I am constantly pulling seedlings out of flower beds. I do love them though. The large leaves are a very attractive color and the spring blossoms a plus. It's funny how you can take something for granted, but when you hear others talk about it some how you feel a bit better.

Micky,
We have 20 acres so I guess I have enough room. But I was thinking Do you could keep one trimmed into a small tree? Maybe this wouldn't work, I never heard of anyone doing this with an Oak or a sycamore ............ just a thought. If you have lots of them maybe you could try it out with one.

Tree_Climber, I have a few extra seeds do you want to SASE for them. If so send me an e-mail.
Sari

Sari,
I forgot to ask in my email to you about any special directions for growing these. Are there any? How fast should we expect them to pop up?

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I have never had catalpa-pillers on mine. When I was growing up a tree across the road got them every year. The guy that lived there loved it. Seems he was a rabid fisherman and these catapillers are the same as filet mignon. Tree...I just don't have time to prune trees. Catalpas grow very fast and I am afraid it would tend to get away from one. If you have 20 acres though, I might find a spot away from the house. After all in 10 years or so you will be able to see it from anywhere.

Sari, I've been looking through the forums to see if you are still around. Wondered if you received the seed I sent over a month ago; haven't received yours. I figured I must have your email wrong. Do you suppose we're having trouble with the border? Chris