Paulownia tomentosa

(EMPRESS TREE) FAST growing deciduous tree to 40’ with BIG leaves and upright stalks of foxglove-like lavender flowers in spring - Grows up to 10’ per year in full sun and most soils – not fussy! Some ‘mad gardeners’ cut this to nubbins each year which results in HUGE leaves on a shrubby plant that adds some significant BOLD to the garden (no flowers with this treatment).