Latin Name - Catalpa speciosa
Height - 40-70 feet
Spread - 20-40 feet
Growth Rate - Moderate to Fast
USDA Zone - 4 to 8
Drought Tolerance - Moderate
Northern catalpa is a medium-sized tree with large, heart-shaped leaves and trumpet-shaped, white with purple-spotted flowers. It produces a thin bean-like seed pod. Northern catalpa is coarse-textured in winter, late to leaf, has little or no fall color and makes a tremendous mess with its leaves and pods. It is, however, somewhat drought resistant and provides wonderful shade, qualities that have endeared it to those willing to accommodate its downsides.