|P. fortunei is broadly columnar with thick shoots. Fragrant flowers, 4 inches long, are pale purple outside and creamy white with purple spots inside.
This fast growing tree is known for its showy flowers and large, ornamental leaves. Fragrant lavender, bell to trumpet shaped flowers are borne in large upright panicles as leaves emerge. Leaves are light green and hairy, to 1 foot long. Tree may be coppiced or pollarded and is tolerant of atmospheric pollution. Because it is a fast grower, wood tends to be brittle and it is sometimes categorized as a trash tree but the showy flowers are really the tree's salvation.