The Empress Tree, known botanically as *Paulownia*, is famous for being a tough-as-nails plant that doesn’t demand much attention. Once they’re fully grown, these beauties can handle cold snaps like a pro. However, it’s a different story for the youngsters! If you’ve got a sapling on your hands, you’ll need to take a few extra steps to get it through the winter. Here’s how to keep your young Paulownia safe and sound until spring.
Winterizing Your Young Empress Tree
Young Empress Trees are pretty sensitive to frost, and it’s not just their roots you have to worry about—their branches are vulnerable, too. Because Paulownias develop their shoots and flower buds well in advance, those delicate tips are sitting ducks for freezing temperatures. If you want to see those gorgeous blooms in the spring, you’ve got to protect those buds from biting frost.
Most seasoned gardeners recommend keeping your Paulownia in a pot or container for the first two years. This makes life easy: when the temperature drops, you can just move the pot into a garage, a shed, or a sunroom. Keep them tucked away until the threat of frost has passed in the spring. If moving them inside isn’t an option, you can wrap the pot in burlap or garden fleece. Since the buds are so sensitive, I also recommend gently slipping a breathable, light-permeable frost bag over the top of the plant for extra protection.
Spring Care for Your Empress Tree
Once the winter chill fades, it’s time to help your Paulownia kick off its growth spurt. Start by giving it a proper pruning and making sure it gets regular water. Just be careful not to overdo it—these trees hate “wet feet,” so make sure the soil drains well. While Empress Trees love a bright, warm spot, don’t blast a young plant with intense, direct afternoon sun right after its winter nap. Let it acclimate to the warmth gradually.
Pro Tips for Fertilizing:
- Feed your tree once a month during the growing season.
- Use an organic fertilizer or a high-quality liquid feed.
- Stop fertilizing entirely during the winter months.
A mature Empress Tree is generally considered very hardy and can handle the cold without much fuss. There are even hybrid varieties specifically bred to withstand extra-harsh climates. Just a heads-up: if you’re planning on harvesting “true-to-seed” seeds to grow more trees, you’ll want to stick to pure species rather than hybrids!
