Indian Bean Tree

Indian Bean Tree (Catalpa bignonioides) is a deciduous shade tree for gardens with room to spare. It reaches about 10m tall and 7m across, carrying a broad low crown of heart shaped leaves. Upright trusses of white bell flowers open in early summer, followed by the long slender seed pods that give the tree its name.

Why you'll love it

• Real shade, sooner than most. A fast spreading crown covers a lawn or seating area in a few seasons, not a decade.
• Flowers a shade tree usually skips. White bells open in early summer, and bees and butterflies work them steadily.
• Winter sun when you want it. The leaves drop in autumn, so light reaches the house through the cold months and shade returns in December.
• Tough where it counts. Frost hardy, heat tolerant, drought tolerant once established and untroubled by poor soil.

Where it works best

Shade tree. Give it 7m of clear width and it covers a lawn, a pool surround or an outdoor table on its own. Plant it well clear of the house so the crown never has to be cut back to fit.

Feature planting. The oversized leaves and pale flower spikes read from a distance, so one specimen carries a front garden or an open paddock corner.

Driveways and avenues. Allow 8m to 10m between trees so each crown can spread, and expect a canopy that meets overhead in time.

Growing Indian Bean Tree in Australia

Position and climate. Full sun in warm temperate, cool temperate and Mediterranean gardens, including districts that frost hard in winter. The large soft leaves tatter in constant wind, and it is not a choice for the wet tropics.

Soil. It performs in poor ground that defeats other shade trees, but it wants depth and drainage. Work compost through a wide backfilled hole and mulch 75mm deep, clear of the trunk.

Water and feed. Deep soak weekly through the first two summers, then only in long dry spells. A complete slow release fertiliser in late winter covers the year.

Pruning. Prune in winter while the tree is bare and the structure shows. Lift the lower branches for clearance and take out crossing wood early to build a strong frame.

What to expect when it arrives

We grow this catalpa in 45L and 100L, both advanced sizes with a formed trunk and real height on day one. There is no small option, which suits a tree bought for shade: you are buying years of growth rather than waiting through them.

Because it is deciduous, a tree despatched in late autumn or winter arrives bare. That is dormancy, not damage, and the leaves return in spring. Plants are delivered Australia wide, delivery from $29.95, and advanced and large stock is freighted at cost. Expect strong growth from the first full spring, and every plant carries our 30 day healthy plant guarantee.

Plant care guides and related reading

• The best canopy trees for creating shade
• Browse the deciduous tree range
• Other fast growing shade trees
• Feature trees for a garden centrepiece

Common questions

How much room does it really need?

Plan for a crown 7m wide, so keep it at least 5m clear of a building or a boundary fence. In a small courtyard it will outgrow the space and end up disfigured by pruning.

Will it grow in a subtropical or tropical garden?

It is at its best in warm temperate, cool temperate and Mediterranean climates, where winter cold gives it a proper dormancy. In humid tropical gardens it is unreliable.

Is it messy?

Yes, at two points in the year. Spent flowers drop in summer, then the long seed pods and large leaves come down in autumn, so it suits a lawn or garden bed better than a paved entry.