THE POWTON TREE – PUT IT IN THE GROUND AND STAND BACK THREE SPACES! PAULOWNIA IS THE FASTEST GROWING TREE IN THE WORLD! THE SAPPHIRE DRAGON TREE HAS THE MOST BEAUTIFUL FLOWERS! GROW IN THE GARDEN OR A POT! 1 YEAR = 3 METRES!

The 20th Century Wonder: The Powton Sapphire Dragon

Introducing the spectacular Powton Sapphire Dragon – a fast-growing, exotic ornamental tree that transforms your garden into a jewel box each spring with striking spires of sapphire-blue flowers. This botanical treasure from the East is perfect for modern Western gardeners, combining breathtaking beauty with rapid growth.

In just its first year, a Powton Sapphire Dragon seedling can shoot up to over three metres. By year two, it reaches around five metres, often with its first spectacular flowering. Come year three, it’s a commanding presence – a shady, elegant tree standing about eight metres tall.

At maturity, a three-year-old Powton can bear up to 30 flower spikes, each stretching a metre long and half a metre wide. Every spike is adorned with 300 frilled, orchid-like blossoms, releasing a soft, sweet fragrance that fills your garden. And there’s more: this tree is deciduous, which means it sheds its leaves in winter, letting in the low sun just when your garden needs it most.

In warmer months, the tree bursts into life with huge, lush leaves that create cool, luxurious shade – a tropical haven in your own backyard.

A Rich and Noble Heritage

The Powton Sapphire Dragon is a refined cultivar of Paulownia kawakami, native to China and deeply rooted in history. For centuries, the Chinese have prized these trees not only for their stunning appearance but also for their timber – used in everything from fine furniture and traditional clogs to musical instruments.

As early as 1000 AD, Chinese scholar Chen Chu developed a method for farmers to grow the tree quickly and sustainably, preserving this precious resource for generations to come.

Beyond its practical uses, the Powton has held a special place in Chinese mythology, much like the dragon itself – a symbol of prosperity and wisdom. Planting one in your garden brings more than beauty – it brings legacy, culture, and a touch of the mystical.

Plant one – and take three steps back! You’ll be amazed how fast it grows.

Grow Notes

• Position: Full sun

• Soil: Well-drained

• Caution: Parts of the plant are poisonous if ingested

How to Sow Your Powton Sapphire Dragon

To grow from seed, begin in spring or early summer. First, store your seeds in the fridge (around 4°C) for a few months to simulate winter and improve germination.

Step-by-step:

1. Fill a biodegradable container (a toilet roll tube works well with one end folded over) with a mix of sand, vermiculite and peat moss.

2. Sprinkle a small pinch of seed on top and cover with a piece of cheesecloth, paper towel or other breathable fabric.

3. Keep the soil moist but not waterlogged. Once seeds sprout, remove the cloth and thin out to one seedling per container. A sprinkle of cinnamon or a light spray of fungicide can help prevent fungal issues.

4. Let seedlings grow until they reach 25–35 cm tall.

5. Harden them off for 3–5 days in a lightly shaded, sheltered area.

6. Plant them in the garden – biodegradable container and all – in a hole slightly deeper than the container itself.

7. Mulch well around each plant.

8. Water regularly to encourage strong growth.

Germination: 21–35 days at 18–30°C

Final Height: Rapid grower, eventually reaching up to 15 metres

Let the Powton Sapphire Dragon add enchantment, elegance and fast-growing shade to your garden – it’s not just a tree, it’s a statement.