36. Salts’ Golden Catalpa

A golden-leafed tree glistens amid Coventry’s optimistic postwar architecture.

On the corner of Little Park Street and New Union Street, a tree was planted, perhaps when the row of mid-century shops including Salts Tobacconists were built in the postwar redevelopment of Coventry. That tree, a golden catalpa, has grown a wonderful broad canopy that has remained low-rise like the buildings it complements. Visit in late spring to catch its golden leaves at their peak.

Species details

Golden Catalpa
Catalpa bignonioides 'Aurea'

Where to find it

Salts Tobacconists, New Union Street, Coventry CV1 2HN
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Golden catalpa notes

In the past, southern catalpas have commonly been known as ‘Indian bean trees’, a reference to their long, bean-like fruits and to the fact they are from North America where indigenous Americans were known as ‘Indians’. The latin name ‘Catalpa’ is commonly used as the name for other species in this genus, so Catalpa bignonioides should more accurately be known as ‘southern catalpa’ (to distinguish it from C. speciosa, the northern or western catalpa). To confuse things, the bright yellow-leafed ‘Aurea’ cultivar of southern catalpa is known as golden catalpa. Catalpas are known for their showy flowers which appear in the summer, but on golden catalpas, a tree all about its leaves, the flowers are rare and those that do appear can become hidden among that dazzling canopy.