Catalpa bignonioides ‘Nana’ is a compact grafted standard tree with a naturally rounded crown and large, heart-shaped green leaves.
Its distinctive lollipop or umbrella-like form makes it particularly suitable for courtyards, contemporary gardens, formal planting and matched pairs beside entrances.
Unlike common Catalpa, ‘Nana’ rarely flowers and normally produces no long seed pods. It should be selected for its architectural shape and bold summer foliage.
Product Highlights
Compact clear-stemmed tree
Dense rounded or flattened-globe crown
Large heart-shaped leaves
Strong architectural form
Suitable for small and medium gardens
Excellent for matched pairs
Effective in formal repetition
Dense summer canopy
Slow to moderate growth
Low to moderate maintenance
Usually free from seed-pod litter
Product Information
Feature / Details
Botanical name: Catalpa bignonioides ‘Nana’
Common names: Globe Catalpa and dwarf Indian bean tree
Family: Bignoniaceae
Plant type: Deciduous
Overall height: Approximately 2.5–5 metres
Crown spread: Approximately 3–5 metres
Growth rate: Slow to moderate
Position: Full sun or light partial shade
Exposure: Sheltered
Soil: Fertile and moisture-retentive
Drainage: Well-drained
Foliage: Large, heart-shaped and fresh green
Flowers: Rare or absent
Seed pods: Normally absent
Autumn colour: Yellow to yellow-green
Maintenance: Low to moderate
Suitable For
When We Would Not Recommend It
Globe Catalpa is unsuitable for:
Severely exposed gardens
Open upland sites
Harsh coastal positions
Permanently waterlogged ground
Locations unable to accommodate a 3–5 metre crown
Gardens where flowers are essential
Positions requiring evergreen screening
Understanding the Supplied Size
This is a grafted tree. The crown begins at the graft point, and most future height develops above this point.
The trunk below the graft will thicken but will not substantially extend in length. Always compare graft height, stem girth, overall height and crown width when choosing a tree.
Our specimen tree sizes explained guide provides further information.
For help choosing between a younger tree and a fuller specimen, read mature trees versus younger trees.
Rootballed or Container-Grown?
Container-grown trees provide a wider planting window where reliable irrigation is available.
Larger rootballed standards are generally supplied during the cooler planting season and require appropriate lifting and handling.
Compare the options in our rootball versus container-grown guide.
Planting Requirements
Plant in full sun or light partial shade in a sheltered position.
Provide fertile, moisture-retentive but freely draining soil. Keep the root flare visible and do not bury or damage the graft union.
Young trees require secure staking and dependable establishment watering.
Follow our tree planting and establishment guide for detailed advice.
Professional specimen-tree delivery and planting is available for larger trees and matched specimens.
Pruning and Graft Care
Retain an even, naturally rounded crown and remove damaged, crossing or badly balanced growth.
Remove shoots arising from the rootstock or beneath the graft promptly. Never cut below or through the graft union.
Relevant minimal-pruning principles are available in our RHS Pruning Group 1 guide.
Our Recommendation
We recommend Catalpa bignonioides ‘Nana’ for sheltered small and medium gardens requiring a bold, rounded architectural tree.
For formal pairs or repeated planting, choose trees with matching graft heights, stem girths and crown dimensions.
Delivery and professional planting
We can install specimen trees at any of the in following postcodes;
BB, BL, CH1 - CH5, CW8, CW9, FY, L, LA1 - LA6, M, OL, PR, SK1 - SK12, WA, & WN.
Please do not purchase if you want the hedging installed outside this area. If you do live outside the area, then please give us a call on 01942 604976 and we can see if it’s possible to do this.
For more information on the tree see the tree specification below. For more information about delivery, access and planting, see the guide below or click here.
Catalpa bignonioides ‘Nana’ is a compact grafted standard tree with a naturally rounded crown and large, heart-shaped green leaves.
Its distinctive lollipop or umbrella-like form makes it particularly suitable for courtyards, contemporary gardens, formal planting and matched pairs beside entrances.
Unlike common Catalpa, ‘Nana’ rarely flowers and normally produces no long seed pods. It should be selected for its architectural shape and bold summer foliage.
Product Highlights
Compact clear-stemmed tree
Dense rounded or flattened-globe crown
Large heart-shaped leaves
Strong architectural form
Suitable for small and medium gardens
Excellent for matched pairs
Effective in formal repetition
Dense summer canopy
Slow to moderate growth
Low to moderate maintenance
Usually free from seed-pod litter
Product Information
Feature / Details
Botanical name: Catalpa bignonioides ‘Nana’
Common names: Globe Catalpa and dwarf Indian bean tree
Family: Bignoniaceae
Plant type: Deciduous
Overall height: Approximately 2.5–5 metres
Crown spread: Approximately 3–5 metres
Growth rate: Slow to moderate
Position: Full sun or light partial shade
Exposure: Sheltered
Soil: Fertile and moisture-retentive
Drainage: Well-drained
Foliage: Large, heart-shaped and fresh green
Flowers: Rare or absent
Seed pods: Normally absent
Autumn colour: Yellow to yellow-green
Maintenance: Low to moderate
Suitable For
When We Would Not Recommend It
Globe Catalpa is unsuitable for:
Severely exposed gardens
Open upland sites
Harsh coastal positions
Permanently waterlogged ground
Locations unable to accommodate a 3–5 metre crown
Gardens where flowers are essential
Positions requiring evergreen screening
Understanding the Supplied Size
This is a grafted tree. The crown begins at the graft point, and most future height develops above this point.
The trunk below the graft will thicken but will not substantially extend in length. Always compare graft height, stem girth, overall height and crown width when choosing a tree.
Our specimen tree sizes explained guide provides further information.
For help choosing between a younger tree and a fuller specimen, read mature trees versus younger trees.
Rootballed or Container-Grown?
Container-grown trees provide a wider planting window where reliable irrigation is available.
Larger rootballed standards are generally supplied during the cooler planting season and require appropriate lifting and handling.
Compare the options in our rootball versus container-grown guide.
Planting Requirements
Plant in full sun or light partial shade in a sheltered position.
Provide fertile, moisture-retentive but freely draining soil. Keep the root flare visible and do not bury or damage the graft union.
Young trees require secure staking and dependable establishment watering.
Follow our tree planting and establishment guide for detailed advice.
Professional specimen-tree delivery and planting is available for larger trees and matched specimens.
Pruning and Graft Care
Retain an even, naturally rounded crown and remove damaged, crossing or badly balanced growth.
Remove shoots arising from the rootstock or beneath the graft promptly. Never cut below or through the graft union.
Relevant minimal-pruning principles are available in our RHS Pruning Group 1 guide.
Our Recommendation
We recommend Catalpa bignonioides ‘Nana’ for sheltered small and medium gardens requiring a bold, rounded architectural tree.
For formal pairs or repeated planting, choose trees with matching graft heights, stem girths and crown dimensions.
Delivery and professional planting
We can install specimen trees at any of the in following postcodes;
BB, BL, CH1 - CH5, CW8, CW9, FY, L, LA1 - LA6, M, OL, PR, SK1 - SK12, WA, & WN.
Please do not purchase if you want the hedging installed outside this area. If you do live outside the area, then please give us a call on 01942 604976 and we can see if it’s possible to do this.
For more information on the tree see the tree specification below. For more information about delivery, access and planting, see the guide below or click here.
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