Plant of the month for June

The plant of the month for June is…

Paulownia tomentosa (The Foxglove Tree)

Despite the “Beast from the east” we have a good show of flowers from our “Foxglove”tree. A Chinese native, but introduced via Japan in 1834, grown for either its flowers or foliage. If growing for flowers site in a sheltered frost free spot and let grow. The flowers develop in the summer and providing there is a frost free winter will flower from late may into June. If grown for its foliage cut back hard every spring and watch the huge leaves develop, up to 60cm (2 foot plus in old money!)