Royal Empress Tree

Paulownia elongata

$79⁹⁹

Out of stock
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Delivery and Shipping

Understanding Plant Options

Nature Hills offers plants in two main formats:

Container Plants: Grown in pots with soil, sized by container volume and plant age
Bare Root Plants: Dormant plants without soil, sized by height measurements

Container Plant Sizes

Container sizes indicate plant age and growing capacity rather than liquid volume equivalents. Our containers follow industry-standard nursery "trade gallon" specifications, which differ from standard liquid gallon measurements.

Young Plants (6 months to 18 months old)

Container Size	Actual Volume	Metric Equivalent
2" x 2" x 3"	0.18 - 0.21 dry quarts	0.20 - 0.23 dry liters
4" Container	0.31 - 0.87 dry quarts	0.35 - 0.96 dry liters
4.5" Container	0.65 dry quarts	0.72 dry liters
6" Container	1.4 dry quarts	1.59 dry liters
1 Quart	1 dry quart	1.1 dry liters
5.5" Container	1.89 dry quarts	2.08 dry liters

Established Plants (18 months to 2.5 years old)

Container Size	Actual Volume	Metric Equivalent
2 Quart	2 dry quarts	2.2 dry liters
#1 Container	2.26 - 3.73 dry quarts	2.49 - 4.11 dry liters
5" x 5" x 12"	3.5 - 4.3 dry quarts	3.85 - 4.74 dry liters

Mature Plants (2-4 years old)

Container Size	Actual Volume	Metric Equivalent
#2 Container	1.19 - 1.76 dry gallons	5.24 - 7.75 dry liters
#3 Container	2.15 - 2.76 dry gallons	8.14 - 12.16 dry liters

Large Plants (3-5 years old)

Container Size	Actual Volume	Metric Equivalent
#5 Container	2.92 - 4.62 dry gallons	12.86 - 20.35 dry liters
#6 Container	5.25 - 6.01 dry gallons	23.12 - 26.42 dry liters
#7 Container	5.98 - 6.53 dry gallons	26.34 - 28.76 dry liters

Bare Root Plants

Bare root plants are sold by height from the root system to the top of the plant. Plants may exceed minimum height requirements.

Common Sizes:

Trees: 1 foot, 2 feet, 3 feet, 4 feet, 5 feet, 6 feet
Shrubs & Perennials: 1 foot, 18 inches, 2 feet

Important Notes

Container Volume Specifications

Trade Gallon Standard: Our containers follow industry-standard "trade gallon" specifications established by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI Z60.1) for nursery stock
Volume Variations: Actual soil volume may vary due to plant root systems and growing medium settlement
Age Indicators: Container size primarily indicates plant age and maturity rather than liquid volume equivalents

Growing Conditions

Plant size can vary based on variety and growing conditions
Container size helps indicate plant maturity and establishment level
Larger containers generally mean more established root systems and faster landscape establishment

Seasonal Availability

Bare root plants are available seasonally when dormant
Container plants are available throughout the growing season
Specific varieties may have limited availability in certain sizes

Questions?

For questions about specific plant sizes or availability, please contact our plant experts who can help you choose the right size for your landscape needs.

Plant Highlights

Royal Empress Tree highlights at a glance!

Specifications

Brand

Nature Hills' Choice
Botanical Name

Paulownia elongata
Growing Zones

5-11
Mature Height

40 - 50 feet
Mature Spread

30 - 40 feet
Sun Exposure

Full Sun
Soil

Widely Adaptable
Growth Rate

Fast
Flower Color

Green
Pollinator Friendly

Yes
Pollinator Required

No
Bloom Period

Early Spring

Growing Zones 5-11

Find Your Growing Zone!

World's Fastest Growing Tree, with Year-Round Appeal

Fastest Growing Hardwood Tree
Hardy
Jasmine Scented Flowers
Huge Leaves
Pest and Disease Resistant

The Royal Empress Tree (Paulownia elongata) is native to China, but has found a welcome home in the U.S. as the world's fastest growing shade tree. This miracle of nature can grow up to 15 feet in its first season.

Your Royal Empress tree will announce the arrival of spring with a spectacular display of bell shaped flowers that burst into bloom on cascading clusters of 8-12" blossoms. Their colorful display of lavender-kissed, pink and white will infuse the air with the fragrant scent of jasmine.

When the majesty of spring has passed, your friends and family will be amazed throughout the summer by the Empress' uniquely fuzzy leaves. These huge emerald green leaves can reach up to 3 feet across.

The Royal Empress tree can also filter toxins from the air at an amazing rate. In fact, your tree can capture more Carbon from the environment and convert it into pure, clean oxygen than almost any other tree in existence. As if all this weren't enough, during the winter months you will enjoy the adorable furry buds that cover your tree's branches as they await the first signs of spring to welcome them into new life.

The Royal Empress tree is super hardy and tolerant of almost any soil type although it does best in well-drained soils. It prefers sun or partial shade and is pest and disease resistant.

Your Empress will be an outstandingly easy to grow accent to your landscape, providing a full, rounded crown to shade your home in a fraction of the time most trees would require to do so.

We grow our Royal Empress Tree to be fast growing and strong. NatureHills.com partners with Plant Sentry™ to ensure all plants shipped to you are compliant with state and federal regulations. This means we won't ship plants to you that are invasive in your area, including Royal Empress.

Order now and it is sure to bring many years of beauty to your landscape.

Packaged nicely and the tree

Packaged nicely and the tree is doing great!

Dear Amanda,

Thank you so much for taking the time to share your wonderful feedback! We're delighted to hear that your tree arrived perfectly packaged and is doing well. It’s always our goal to ensure your plants travel safely to you so they can thrive right from the start.

If you ever have any questions about care or planting tips as your tree grows, don’t hesitate to reach out—we’d be happy to help. Additionally, our website offers some great resources tailored to a variety of trees and seasons that might be useful for ongoing guidance.

Happy growing, Amanda! We look forward to supporting your garden in the seasons ahead.

Rooting for your garden’s success,
Your Nature Hills Plant Care Team

Packaged nicely and the tree

Packaged nicely and the tree is doing great!

Hello Amanda,

Thank you so much for taking the time to share your positive experience! We’re delighted to hear that your tree arrived packaged securely and is thriving well. Proper packaging is something we take great pride in to ensure your plants arrive in the best condition possible. If you ever have questions about tree care or need tips on helping it flourish even more, don’t hesitate to reach out—we’re always here to help!

Wishing you happy planting,
The Nature Hills Plant Experts

Royal Empress Tree

So far, so good. I've tried to grow this tree twice before (from a different nursery) and they both died. My sister has one that is awesome so I thought I'd give it another chance. It's fall here in Michigan now and the last week or so it has been pretty darn chilly at night. The tree is looking a little weak right now but I'll keep my fingers crossed that it rebounds in the spring.

Hello Corrine,

Thank you so much for sharing your experience with the Royal Empress Tree! We truly appreciate you trusting us with your tree after your previous attempts, and we’re glad to hear it’s off to a promising start despite the chilly Michigan fall. It’s completely normal for the tree to look a bit tired as it settles in, especially with the cooler night temperatures. Make sure to provide some added mulch around the base to help retain warmth and moisture—this often supports stronger root development through the colder months.

In spring, keep an eye out for new growth as a sign your tree is rebounding well. And if you ever need more personalized care tips or have any questions along the way, don’t hesitate to reach back out. Supporting your planting success is what we’re here for!

Wishing you happy planting,
The Nature Hills Plant Experts

Royal Empress Tree

Hi Corrine,

Thank you so much for sharing your experience with the Royal Empress Tree! We’re really glad you chose to give this tree another shot, especially after your previous attempts, and we understand how challenging it can be to get that first critical stage right.

Since the fall weather in Michigan can bring those chilly nights, it’s totally normal for your tree to look a bit tired as it adjusts. One tip to help it through the cold is to apply a good layer of mulch around the base to help regulate soil temperature and moisture. Also, ensuring the tree is well-watered before the soil freezes can give it a strong foundation to bounce back in spring. If you’d like, we can send you some detailed guides on winter care for Royal Empress Trees or other hardy varieties suited to your zone.

We’re rooting for this tree to thrive for you and become the beautiful addition to your landscape akin to your sister’s. Please don’t hesitate to reach out if you have any other questions or need support during the colder months!

Rooting for your garden’s success,
Your Nature Hills Plant Care Team

High hopes for a tall tree!

The tree arrived in pretty good fashion -- excellent packaging and seems to be healthy. Several of the leaves did have holes in them (bugs?) but I pinched those off and it appears to be settling in.

Dear Linda K.,

Thank you so much for sharing your experience with your new tree! We’re delighted to hear it arrived well-packed and appears healthy despite a few bug-nibbled leaves. It’s great that you’ve taken prompt action by pinching those leaves off—that’s a wonderful way to help the tree settle in nicely.

Sometimes our gentle green friends encounter some pests during transit or before shipping, but keeping an eye on any affected foliage and ensuring good air circulation will definitely help your tree thrive. You might also consider a mild, natural insecticidal soap spray if you notice persistent damage, but often a little vigilance is all that’s needed. If you need specific recommendations tailored to your tree species, please don’t hesitate to reach out!

We’re excited for your tree to grow tall and strong—thank you for welcoming it into your garden.

Rooting for your garden’s success,
Your Nature Hills Plant Care Team

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