Trees with Elephant Ear Leaves – A Unique and Eye-catching Addition to Any Landscape

Trees with large, elephant ear-shaped leaves are an exciting way to add drama and interest to your yard or garden. Their huge, heart-shaped leaves and tropical look make them real attention grabbers. Here is an introduction to some of the most popular options when it comes to trees with elephant ear leaves.

The Northern Catalpa

The northern catalpa (Catalpa speciosa) is a fast-growing North American native tree that thrives in zones 4-8. It is prized for its huge heart-shaped leaves that can grow up to 12 inches long and 8 inches wide. These sizable leaves give dappled shade under the catalpa’s spreading canopy.

In summer, the catalpa produces large panicles of showy, white flowers with yellow and purple spots inside These are followed by long, bean-like seed pods in fall The catalpa’s ornamental flowers, leaves, and seed pods make it an excellent specimen tree. Plant it where the flowers and leaves can be appreciated up close.

The Empress Tree

Another good option for elephant ear-shaped leaves is the empress tree or foxglove tree (Paulownia tomentosa). A fast grower that matures at 40-60 feet tall, the empress tree does well in zones 5-9. It is known for its large, tropical-looking leaves that can reach up to 20 inches across on mature trees. These huge leaves turn bright yellow in fall.

In spring, the empress tree produces abundant upright panicles of pale violet flowers The flowers are followed by woody seed pods The empress tree grows quickly into a rounded shape with heart-shaped leaves spreading along the branches. For best effect, use it as a solitary specimen.

The Elephant Ear Tree

As its name suggests, the elephant ear tree (Enterolobium cyclocarpum) has distinctively large, ear-shaped leaves. This fast-growing tropical tree reaches 35 meters tall in the wild. It can be grown as a container specimen in zones 10-11.

The elephant ear tree has fern-like, compound leaves made up of leaflets that give the whole leaf an elephant ear shape. After its puffy white flowers fade, it produces curled, woody seedpods. A native of Central American forests, it thrives with warm temperatures, high humidity, and moist soil.

Other Trees with Elephant Ear Leaves

Some other trees share the elephant ear leaf shape:

• The tulip tree or yellow poplar (Liriodendron tulipifera) has 4-lobed leaves that resemble elephant ears. It is a fast grower suited to zones 4-9.

• Chinese elm cultivars like ‘Drake’ have deeply lobed, elephant ear-shaped leaves. Chinese elm thrives in zones 5-10.

• Some catalpa cultivars like ‘Bungei’ and ‘Nana’ have smaller leaves than the species but retain an elephant ear look.

• The cucumber tree (Magnolia acuminata) has large, oval leaves with a lobed, elephant ear shape. It grows well in zones 4-8.

Caring for Trees with Elephant Ear Leaves

Trees with elephant ear leaves generally require little specialized care once established. They need:

• Plenty of room to grow. Give them space to spread out.

• Full sun is ideal for the largest leaves. They tolerate some shade.

• Rich, moist soil. Add compost or mulch around the root zone.

• Moderate water. Avoid soggy soil.

• Pruning for shape or to remove dead wood. Avoid heavy pruning.

• Protection from strong winds, which can shred the large leaves.

• Occasional pest monitoring. Some are prone to leaf-feeding larvae.

With simple care focused on providing good growing conditions, trees with elephant ear leaves will thrive and grow into beautiful garden specimens. Their huge, tropical foliage makes a bold statement in any landscape.

Using Trees with Elephant Ear Leaves in the Landscape

There are many ways to showcase trees with elephant ear leaves:

• Use them as solitary specimen trees where their form and leaves can be fully appreciated. Give them space to grow.

• Plant them as focal points at the ends of driveways or paths to draw the eye.

• Use them as shade trees in yards or parks. Their large leaves provide dappled shade.

• Plant them as striking container specimens on patios or pool areas.

• Grow them annually in large pots as unusual accent plants.

• Underplant them with low-growing shrubs, perennials, or groundcovers.

• Allow lower branches to sweep down to the ground for a tropical look.

With proper placement and care, trees with elephant ear leaves can transform your landscape into an exotic tropical paradise! Their bold foliage provides tons of visual interest.

Enjoying the Drama of Elephant Ear Leaves

If you love exotic, tropical plants, consider adding a tree with bold elephant ear leaves to your garden. Their huge, heart-shaped foliage makes a real statement and adds drama to landscapes. Give them plenty of room, rich soil, and bright light for the largest and healthiest leaves. Trees with elephant ear foliage are sure to turn heads in your neighborhood!