A “Standard Catalpa Bignonioides” is probably not the “Nana” cultivar. An earlier post discussed how to grow and propagate an Indian Bean tree, but do note that only a true Catalpa Bignonioides blooms. The Catalpa Bignonioides Nana is a dwarf species that thrives in full sun, making sunlight crucial for healthy growth.
For optimal results, catalpa trees require at least four hours of direct sunlight per year. The Catalpa bignonioides ‘Nana’ is umbrella shaped because it is grafted. “Nana” is Latin for “dwarf”. This is why this tree is commonly referred to as dwarf Indian bean tree or dwarf southern catalpa.
catalpa bignonioides nana, It belongs to the trumpet vine family (Bignoniaceae). Bungei Indian Bean (Catalpa bignonioides ‘Nana’) is a compact, deciduous tree known for its dense, rounded canopy of large, bright green leaves. Unlike the standard Catalpa, this variety remains compact and non-flowering, making it an excellent choice for topiary lollipops. A deciduous, shrubby dwarf cultivar which grows to about 1.8m in height, but is most often grafted on to a tall-stemmed rootstock of Catalpa bignonioides. The leaves are large, mid green and heart-shaped; this cultivar rarely flowers catalpa, (genus Catalpa), genus of eight species of trees (family Bignoniaceae) native to eastern Asia, eastern North America, and the West Indies.
catalpa bignonioides nana, The common, or southern, catalpa (C. bignonioides), which yields a durable timber, is one of the most widely planted ornamental species. A densely branched, spherical shrub, that when grafted on stock (C. bignonioides), can grow into a small, flat-topped, spherical tree. Depending on the graft union the height will be 2 - 2.5 m. The crown becomes circa 6 - 7 m wide.
