Pruning a Catalpa bignonioides for foliage effect

The Indian bean tree- Catalpa bignoniodes may be saddled with a cumbersome botanical name but it is a glorious plant. Left to its own devices, it grows into a large tree with very attractive summer flowers. It is more of a tree for large gardens and parkland, but can still be grown in small gardens provided it receives an annual hard pruning in spring. Like Paulownia tomentosa mentioned in a previous post, hard pruning results in spectacular bold foliage but sadly, flowers are forfeit. 
Pruning is best carried out in spring at the commencement of new growth. The picture below shows an expertly pruned specimen at the gardens of the Royal Horticultural Society at Wisley.

Luxuriant foliage from a yellow leaved Catalpa as a result of hard pruning

Pruning willows for coloured bark

Willows can provide much needed winter interest with colourful stems but as this is only on young (current season's) growth, a hard pruning regime is necessary to maintain the colour and stop the plants becoming too big for the garden. 

I was working at the Royal Horticultural Society's garden at Wisley, Surrey doing my tutoring role for the Master of Horticulture and whilst walking in the gardens, I saw these willows that hard received the hard pruning necessary to provide winter interest. You may be surprised at the apparent savagery but willows are very forgiving. If you need more plants, insert the prunings (making sure that they are the right way up) into some moist soil and they will root and grow into new plants. Alternatively a basket maker will certainly take away your prunings, I suggest swapping them for something as they are valuable. 

If you are a timid pruner, I suggest pruning coloured bark willows when you are in a very bad mood!