Empress Tree (Paulownia tomentosa) is a broadleaved deciduous tree up to 25 m tall with a spreading openwork crown. Lives more than 100 years.

It grows up to 1.5 m per year, at 10 years of age Paulownia can reach 15 m, so it is considered one of the fastest growing trees in the world (when it reaches flowering age the growth slows down). Despite the large crown, the root system is not very deep, especially in seedlings, but at the same time dense. Extraordinarily large leaves up to 70 cm long and wide give the tree an unusual appearance. The leaves are heart-shaped and open late, in mid- to late May, falling off after frost, in October.

Paulownia seeds are very small, up to 1.5 mm, with 10,000 seeds weighing only 1.5 grams.
After a desirable but not obligatory stratification, sow the seeds finely in soil with a moist peat-sand mixture (1: 1) and cover with a thin layer of sand. With deeper planting, the seeds will not germinate. Artificial heat is not required, as a cool place, with a temperature of about +16 °C and diffused sunlight is best for the seeds. Watering requires special attention - the soil surface should be moist all the time, but not wet. Do not allow the soil to dry out either.
Sprouts appear after about 2-3 weeks. After the appearance of 2-3 leaves, they are poured into separate pots.