TREES: Paulownia in bloom

One of my favorite signs of spring is the light-purple flowers of the Paulownia trees. These trees are common in our area but are particularly noticeable as you're driving along the Route 1 bypass heading south toward Oxford. Longwood Gardens has a line of Pauwlownias along the path on the way to the Conservatory, near the topiary garden.
The fast-growing tree was named in honor of Anna Paulowna, who was the daughter of Paul I, the czar of Russia, and the queen consort of the Netherlands in the nineteenth century (hence the common name of the princess tree). The wood is used in China, Korea, and Japan to make the soundboards of stringed musical instruments. In Japan, per Wikipedia, "It was once customary to plant a Paulownia tree when a baby girl was born, and then to make it into a dresser as a wedding present when she married."
Also: aren't the rhododendrons spectacular this spring? I'm marveling at their color and size.