#catalpa

Plant of the Day

Saturday 21 March 2026

The slender bean-like pods of Catalpa bignonioides (Indian bean tree, catawb, Indian cigar, smoking bean) have survived through the winter and still create a display. Soon the tree will be covered with large leaves, produce white flowers with orange and purple markings and more pods.

I spotted some honeysuckle growing in the barbed wire fence between us and the pine woods next door and leaped at the opportunity to make some May Day honeysuckle syrup. I don’t usually spot it until later in the month. I also found some blossoms in the possumhaw, which has been half overtaken by a thick vine for awhile now.

Between the honeysuckle, privet and humidity the air smelled divine.

The path to the creek was dappled with catalpa blossoms knocked down in yesterday’s May Eve storms. The catalpa tree is so tall that I can’t see the blossoms from the base—I only ever see them in the trail.

I was delighted to find three tall stalks (they can grow as high as four feet) of Carolina larkspur in a little glade. I find the structure of the leaves as striking as the flowers.

The creek wasn’t nearly as high as I expected after the May Eve storms.