Paulownia tomentosa

Empress Tree: Fast growing ornamental deciduous specimen tree native to China with pale violet, foxglove-type, vanilla scented flowers in long panicles appear in May before the large, soft, fuzzy leaves emerge. Attractive, brown fruits. Perfect for West Coast gardens but invasive in the South and on the East Coast. Full sun, medium water. Seacoast, heat, clay, sand and drought tolerant once established. Deer, gopher, rabbit and fire resistant.