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What to Plant Instead of Empress Trees!

Nature Hills Nursery | February 14, 2026

The Royal Paulownia Tree, or Royal Empress, and its white-flowering hybrid, the Super Select Arctic™ Royal Empress Tree, are big, beautiful, flowering shade trees that have been at the center of a debate for years. Simply because they are one of those trees that are great in some areas but can get into a bit of trouble in others.

So if you love the look of the big leaves, orchid-like blooms, and towering fast-growing form, but can’t have the Empress herself, here are a few alternatives for you to consider!

Empress Tree Alternatives For Your Landscape!
Big Bold Alternatives

Despite all its perks and its insanely fast-growing nature, it’s no wonder the Royal Empress Tree is a favorite. Paulownia elongata is not the invasive Paulownia tomentosa; their enormous root systems can still grow where they shouldn’t, especially when poorly situated. Plus, P. tomentosa can have seedlings and root sprouts come up everywhere.

Paulownia elongata has gotten a bad reputation because of its cousin, and Nature Hills employs Plant Sentry™ to ensure we adhere to all State and Federal Agricultural Laws and not ship this Tree into areas where it will be any kind of an issue!

So if you are in one of those areas, or simply want something similar with fewer possible problems, check out these alternatives that also have great shade, fast growth, and incredible blooms!

Empress Tree Alternatives For Your Landscape!

1. Tulip Poplar Tree

The flowering Tulip Poplar isn’t a Tulip or a Poplar, but it’s all kinds of beautiful! Fast-growing and with incredible fall color, the Liriodendron tulipifera is hardy throughout USDA growing zones 4 to 9. The foliage has two lobes that make each look like a cat's silhouette and turn a brilliant, blazing yellow in autumn.

Members of the Magnolia family, this is the perfect tree for lining a drive or walkway, as the roots stay deep and the tree is not messy. You'll love the lowered cooling costs in summer!

Large Flowering Shade Tree
Mature Height 60 - 90 feet
Mature Spread 30 - 50 feet
Yellow-Green Tulip-Like Early-Spring Flowers
Great Fall Color
Pollinator/Bird-Friendly

2. D.D. Blanchard Southern Magnolia Tree

Large, bi-color leaves (green on top and fuzzy brown below), fast growth, and big citrusy-smelling flowers, the broadleaf evergreen D.D. Blanchard Southern Magnolia Tree will amaze you all year round!

Impressive screens and specimens, Southern Magnolia trees are adaptable ornamentals that have majestic canopies and strong, straight trunks with far-reaching, strong branches.

Magnificent, Larger-Sized Broad-Leaved Evergreen Tree
Tight, Upright Pyramidal Growth
Mature Height 40 - 50 feet
Mature Spread 25 - 35 feet
Huge Cup-Shaped Flowers Smell Like Lemons in Spring
Large Glossy Leaves Have Rusty-Brown Undersides
Tolerant of Urban Pollutants

3. Burgundy Sweetgum Tree

The Burgundy Sweetgum (Liquidambar) features spring flower clusters that become persistent spikey seed balls that birds love! But standing back, one will notice that the narrow Burgundy is a very balanced pyramidal tree that tapers down from a central leader. When space is limited, this modern variety is the right choice! The vibrant burgundy and purple fall color rounds out the season beautifully!

Unique Star-Shaped Leaves
Columnar Shade Tree Fits In Small Landscapes
Brilliant Burgundy/Purple Fall Foliage!
Mature Height 40 - 60 feet
Mature Spread 20 - 30 feet

4. Sycamore Trees

With big foliage and statuesque form, the Sycamore includes the native American Sycamore, Columbia, Bloodgood London Planetree, and the Exclamation!™ London Planetree. Growing tall and wide, these incredible shade trees are long-lived and have ornamental exfoliating bark that reveals multiple colors on the trunk and branches.

Extra Large Pointed, Lobed Foliage
Exfoliating Bark & Branches
Strong Branches & Limbs
Long-Lived Shade & Specimen
Round Ornamental Seedpods

5. Buckeye Trees

With a beautiful upright, rounded form, the Ohio Buckeye Tree (Aesculus glabra) works as either a standout specimen or in a natural grouping. You'll be thrilled with the exceptional spring-flowering display. Also known as the Texas Buckeye, or Horse Chestnut, this is no "wimpy" tree. Everything from the corrugated leaves to the corky bark to the leathery, prickled nut husks looks strong!

Rounded Upright Canopy
Palmate Pointed Leaves
Mature Height 30 - 50 feet
Mature Spread 30 - 40 feet
Showy Upright Flower Panicles
Ornamental Wildlife-Friendly Nuts

Runner Ups

Horse Chestnut trees are similar to Buckeye Trees but with bigger, bolder blooms and showier palm-shaped leaves. Choose from Briotti Red or Fort McNair and enjoy their year-round ornamental beauty.

For another great alternative, the Northern Catalpa Tree features gorgeous flowers and big foliage for shade, pollinators, and vigorous growth!

Big Bold Alternatives

For big trees that are just as gorgeous as the Paulownia Empress Tree, without getting into any trouble, you have many options! Check out all the large-scale trees available at Nature Hills and accent your landscape big time!

Happy Planting!

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Frequently Asked Questions

Can Empress trees be grown and maintained as a shrub instead of a full-sized tree?

Yes, Empress trees can be coppiced, meaning you cut them back hard to the ground each spring, which causes them to resprout with enormous, tropical-looking leaves and keeps them in a large shrub form rather than a full-sized tree. This technique works best in USDA zones 5 through 9 and produces foliage that can reach 2 to 3 feet across, making a dramatic ornamental statement. However, coppicing eliminates the flower display since blooms form on mature wood from the previous season. If you want to try this approach, cut the stems back to within a few inches of the ground in late winter or early spring before new growth emerges.

Why is the Empress tree considered invasive and why should I avoid planting it?

The Paulownia tomentosa species is considered invasive because it produces aggressive seedlings and root sprouts that can spread beyond your property and displace native vegetation. While Nature Hills sells Paulownia elongata, a non-invasive species, even this variety has an extensive root system that can cause problems when poorly situated, and it has suffered reputational damage by association with its troublesome cousin. Nature Hills uses Plant Sentry to comply with all state and federal agricultural laws and will not ship Empress trees to restricted areas. If you live in a region where Empress trees are prohibited or simply want a lower-risk alternative, consider fast-growing options like the Tulip Poplar or Southern Magnolia, both of which offer similar bold foliage, impressive size, and stunning blooms without the invasive concerns.

Why is lantana considered invasive and should I avoid it as an Empress tree alternative?

Lantana is considered invasive primarily in warm climates like Florida, Hawaii, and parts of the Gulf Coast, where it spreads aggressively through bird-dispersed seeds and crowds out native vegetation. This article does not feature lantana as a recommended Empress Tree alternative, and for good reason, as its invasive potential in USDA zones 9 to 11 makes it a problematic choice in those regions. If you want a similarly colorful, fast-growing option, consider the alternatives highlighted here, such as the Tulip Poplar or Southern Magnolia, which offer bold beauty without the ecological concerns.

What are the best non-invasive trees to plant instead of Empress trees?

If you love the big leaves, fast growth, and stunning blooms of the Royal Empress Tree but need a non-invasive alternative, consider the Tulip Poplar (Liriodendron tulipifera), which thrives in zones 4-9, reaches 60-90 feet tall, and produces beautiful tulip-like flowers in early spring with spectacular yellow fall color. The D.D. Blanchard Southern Magnolia is another excellent option, offering large evergreen leaves, fast growth, and fragrant citrusy blooms that provide year-round interest. Both trees deliver the impressive shade and ornamental appeal of the Empress without the spreading root and seeding concerns. Visit naturehills.com to find the best fit for your growing zone and get your tree in the ground this season.

Which fast-growing trees can I plant instead of an Empress tree if I need shade quickly?

If you need fast-growing shade but can't plant an Empress tree in your area, two excellent alternatives are the Tulip Poplar (Liriodendron tulipifera) and the D.D. Blanchard Southern Magnolia. The Tulip Poplar is hardy in zones 4 to 9, reaches 60 to 90 feet tall with a 30 to 50 foot spread, and delivers brilliant yellow fall color along with early-spring blooms. The Southern Magnolia is a broadleaf evergreen that adds year-round beauty with large fragrant flowers and a strong, majestic canopy. Visit naturehills.com to find the best option for your growing zone and get your tree in the ground as soon as possible for a head start on shade.

What should I plant instead of an Empress tree if I want bold tropical-looking foliage and large leaves?

If you want bold, tropical-looking foliage with large leaves similar to the Empress Tree, the Tulip Poplar and D.D. Blanchard Southern Magnolia are excellent alternatives worth considering. The Tulip Poplar grows 60 to 90 feet tall and thrives in zones 4 to 9, offering distinctive large leaves, tulip-like spring flowers, and brilliant yellow fall color. The D.D. Blanchard Southern Magnolia delivers oversized bi-color leaves that are glossy green on top and rich brown beneath, with massive fragrant blooms and year-round evergreen interest. Visit naturehills.com to find the best fit for your zone and get your tree in the ground during the optimal spring or fall planting window.

Which Empress tree alternatives offer the best spring flower display?

Both the Tulip Poplar and the D.D. Blanchard Southern Magnolia deliver outstanding spring flower displays as Empress Tree alternatives. The Tulip Poplar produces distinctive yellow-green tulip-shaped flowers in early spring and thrives in zones 4 to 9, making it one of the more cold-hardy options. The D.D. Blanchard Southern Magnolia offers large, fragrant citrus-scented blooms and provides year-round interest as a broadleaf evergreen. Visit Nature Hills to compare both trees side by side and find the best fit for your growing zone and landscape goals.

Which native trees make the best replacements for Empress trees?

The Tulip Poplar (Liriodendron tulipifera) is one of the best native alternatives to the Empress Tree, thriving in USDA zones 4 to 9 and reaching an impressive 60 to 90 feet tall with a 30 to 50 foot spread. It delivers fast growth, yellow-green tulip-like flowers in early spring, stunning yellow fall color, and deep non-invasive roots that make it ideal for lining driveways or walkways. The D.D. Blanchard Southern Magnolia is another excellent choice, offering large evergreen foliage, fast growth, and fragrant citrusy blooms for a bold year-round presence. Visit naturehills.com to check which of these native alternatives is best suited for your specific growing zone and landscape goals.

Which trees can I plant instead of an Empress tree that are drought-tolerant and low-maintenance once established?

The Tulip Poplar (Liriodendron tulipifera) is an excellent low-maintenance alternative to the Empress Tree, hardy in zones 4 to 9, and once established it is quite drought-tolerant with deep, well-behaved roots that won't cause problems near walkways or structures. The D.D. Blanchard Southern Magnolia is another strong candidate, offering a broadleaf evergreen canopy with minimal care requirements after its first year or two of establishment watering. Both trees deliver the fast growth, impressive size, and showy blooms that make the Empress Tree so popular, without the invasive concerns. Visit naturehills.com to check which option is best suited to your specific growing zone and get your tree in the ground this season.