Catalpa is a genus of around 100 species native to warm temperate to subtropical areas of the North American and Asia. Only a handful of species are important ornamentally, principally the two species native to the US. Our predominant species seems to be C. speciosa, the northern catalpa, but I have seen C. bignonoides as well.
Catalpas are notable for their very large leaves, white flowers, and large seed pods which greatly resemble string beans. Despite the resemblance, they are not legumes but belong to the family Bignoniaceae, along with Chilopsis.
Catalpas also suffer from a few unfortunate downsides, principally their weak branches. They tend to grow in very odd shapes, though perhaps this is caused by previous branch droppage. Additionally, they have naturalized and are becoming fairly common in riparian areas locally, though I have not observed them forming dense groves that exclude other species.
Overall, while they certainly have some interesting features, I don't see much reason to plant them.
Catalpas are notable for their very large leaves, white flowers, and large seed pods which greatly resemble string beans. Despite the resemblance, they are not legumes but belong to the family Bignoniaceae, along with Chilopsis.
Catalpas also suffer from a few unfortunate downsides, principally their weak branches. They tend to grow in very odd shapes, though perhaps this is caused by previous branch droppage. Additionally, they have naturalized and are becoming fairly common in riparian areas locally, though I have not observed them forming dense groves that exclude other species.
Overall, while they certainly have some interesting features, I don't see much reason to plant them.