Indian Bean Tree
The Indian Bean Tree (Catalpa bignonioides) falls at the opposite end of the scale than the usual 'architectural' plants.
No high drama pointed leaves, no ebony black stems, but it does have the biggest floppiest tree leaves around - up to 30 cm long - which is why it is here.
The tree grows to 10-20 metres in height. Small white flowers in the summer are followed by long hanging seed pods in the autumn.
It is often grown in fertile moist soil near water, and is tolerant of a variety of soil condirions.
The indian Bean tree is a fast growing tree, and is a good choice of you are trying to establish shady areas in a garden as quickly as possible.
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