Evening star., 1948-05-08
This and That
By Charles E. TraceUeU
DARLINGTON, Va.

"ARLlNilON, va.
Dear Sir:
Il wish you would write Of the tree with
purple flowers in our parks. have heard
that it is called pollonia but couldn't find
it in any book. 1t is somewhat like catalpa
but large purple flowers
Sincerely, w. H. F.
This tree is the Paulownia tree, sometimes
called the Empress tree.
It is named after the Russian princess Anna
Paulovnia, daughter of Tar Paul I.
It is native of Japan, from which came
many fine plants, and has foxglove-like flowers
in pyramidal panicles.
It's scientific name is p tomentosa.
It is an amazingly fast growing tree, and
seems to do very nicely in this climate, thank
you.
The name Is pronounced with the accent on
the syllable "ow" as If it were just long "o."
It is no wonder that our correspondent
spelled 1t "pollonia."
The tree, we believe, Is some relation to the
catalpa, but without so much muss and mess.
The "tomentosa" part of the scientific name
means hairy.
Seeing this tree at distance among others
just green it stands out in wonderful way
but probably is not so good for the home
grounds.
After all, the small yard cannot stand many
trees.
Dogwoods are becoming increasingly popular
for home planting, as people have personal
experience with larger trees, and some not
so large.
Who can say a word against the oaks
glorious forest denizens-but they are best
in such locations, not in the home yard
The standard community plan, Of planting
such great ones on the parkings is good one
Properly done, and matured such mighty
oaks are enough for whole neighborhood.
prnror1v freed this NAV rniphhorho0d
will not need so many trees In gardens
Even such things as the naples, once the
most popular parking tree hereabout, have
many drawbacks in the home grounds.
Apple and other fruit trees are wonderful
partly because of their sentimental relation
to childhood, but actually they are on the
messy side in the small place.
So the dogwoods and the hollies come into
their own.
It is a mistake-too often made-to plant
even small trees too close together.
The homeowner forgets that trees have
way of growing.
He also overlooks the fact-and maybe nature
is kind here-that 20 years have way OF
slipping by.
One or two trees, or maybe three, If they
are dogwoods, are enough for the average
suburban place.
If one has a particular affection for some
one tree, specimen might be tried. but one
would be enough, and it should be placed well
inside the limit
Small naples are nice, but they have
way of making too much shade and taking
too much water out OF a garden.
Locusts have no place in the small yard
They grow too tall drop all sorts of debris
and have bad habit of falling at the most
inopportune times, and when least expected
And when they fall. they fall with solid
"thump" that is as solid as that Of an oak
and they cost just as much to have taken
down, if one cannot do it himself, which
most persons cannot.
AL in ALL the average small yard does best
with shrubbery and evergreens In place Of
trees, with the exception Of dogwood or
holly tree.
Perhaps it should be mentioned, in speaking
Of the Paulownia tree, that the Russian Nv"
and "v" have never yet beens Strengthened
out, at least in America, 50 that If the lady's
name was spelled with "v," the tree sim
has Q right to it, "w."