Indian Bean Tree – Vivid Golden Yellow Foliage
The Indian Bean Tree, actually native of the Southeastern USA, is a popular tree to grow in temperate climates where it is reasonably hardy and requires little attention. Now grown across the UK and Europe due to its striking nature of vivid green heart-shaped leaves with a tinge of purple. It later on in the season produces clusters of white flowers and then long slender pods that are like beans. However, non of this is edible as is the case even in plants belonging to the Fabaceae family that contains both edible peas and beans and highly toxic plants. So only eat what you know to be safe.
The Indian Bean Tree, Catalpa, is part of the Bignoniaceae family known for its Trumpet Vines. The variation popular in the UK is the Catalpa bignonioides ‘Aurea’, that has golden yellow foliage. In the US it can attract the catalpa sphinx moth that can strip its leaves bare. In the UK, I have found the young and tender leaves susceptible to blackfly aphids that will need controlling. Later in the summer it can suffer from powdery mildew if the air is very humid in an enclosed space. Removing the worst affected leaves keeps the plant looking healthy. The plant can put on strong growth upwards that makes it a little top heavy while the trunk may not keep up. So in the early years support is required in windy conditions.
