About This Tree
Catalpa bignonioides 'Aurea', commonly known as the Golden Indian Bean Tree, is a striking ornamental tree celebrated for its vibrant golden-yellow foliage. This deciduous tree boasts heart-shaped leaves that can reach up to 30 centimetres in length, creating a lush canopy of shimmering gold throughout the growing season. The leaves turn a captivating pale green as they mature, providing a dynamic range of colours that enhance any landscape.
Key features of Catalpa bignonioides 'Aurea' include its large, showy white flowers that bloom in late spring to early summer. These flowers are bell-shaped and adorned with purple and yellow markings, which add an extra touch of elegance and attract pollinators like bees and butterflies. Following the flowering period, the tree produces long, slender seed pods that can hang from the branches well into winter, adding seasonal interest.
At maturity, the Golden Indian Bean Tree typically reaches a height of 8 to 12 meters with a spread of 6 to 8 meters, making it a medium-sized tree suitable for a variety of garden settings. It thrives in well-drained soils but is quite adaptable to different soil types, including clay, loam, and sandy soils. This tree prefers full sun to partial shade and requires a position that receives at least six hours of direct sunlight per day to maintain its vibrant foliage colour. Catalpa bignonioides 'Aurea' is relatively low maintenance and can tolerate urban pollution, making it an ideal choice for both private gardens and public spaces.