GOLDEN RAIN TREE Koelreuteria paniculata

One of the few trees to feature yellow flowers. A highly desired ornamental
often seen in mass plantings, driveway edging rows, and city scapes.

This is a lovely ornamental tree even when not in bloom, with dense dark leaves with a blue tone that are almost fern like in structure. It provides excellent shade. Add in the abundance of gorgeous bright golden yellow panicles, astilbe-like bursts of flowers, and it is just stunning. When the flowers fall it looks like yellow rain. They create a bright yellow carpet on the ground below.

The leaves start out as a pinky/violet bronze in spring, move to a dark green with a blue undertone and are bright yellow in fall. The seed pods are yellow-orange lanterns that turn a rust brown and have architectural interest themselves.

For over 300 years, it has been a favorite in many parts of the world. It is the national tree and national flower of Thailand.

You can find Golden Rain Tree seeds and transplants in my shop.

Growing

Golden showers grows 20-30'. It is a pretty fast grower with a compact habit. Low water needs means it can take some drought and neglect. It withstands urban demands such as street salt, pollution, low water and heat.

uses

Ornamental only. It just looks pretty.

Final Thoughts

Gotta say I just love this tree. I'm looking out of my city house at it right now and even not in bloom, it's just an attractive tree. In trying to look through a single low branch, I can't see my neighbor's house the leaves are so dense. I've had these trees for many years, and have never had any issues with disease or breakage. I highly recommend.

sPECS

Koelreuteria paniculata

Type: Diciduous

Wood Type: Soft wood

Uses: Flowering, ornamental

Hardiness Zone: 5-9

Transplant: Fall through spring when ground is workable

Seed Pod

Height: 20-30 feet Spread: 25-35 feet

Roots: Non-invasive

Life Span:

Flower Color: Yellow, prolific

Leaf Color: Blue-green, dense cover

Fall Leaf Color: Yellow, yellow-orange

Seed Pods: Paper lantern

Seed Prep: Scarification

Transplant: Fall through spring when ground is workable

Spacing: They don't like to be crowded, 30+ feet

Sunlight: Full sun 6+ hours, 8-10 is best, unfiltered Water Requirements: Low, tolerates drought, but can also tolerate occasional flooding

Soil Quality: Not picky

Soil Chemistry: Not picky

Fertilize: When young, in spring with a slow release general higher in Nitrogen

Growth Rate: Moderate/fast, 1-2 feet per year

Bloomtime: Late Summer

Bloom Age: 3 years Attracts: Butterflies, bees Critter Resistant: Mildly resistant to deer

Critter Attractant: No

Harvest: N/A

Pruning: When dormant, when young, for shape and to space larger branches apart, early pruning increases branching

Pests: Flatheaded borers

Diseases: Root rot, canker, coral spot fungus

Reseeds: Yes

Propagation: Seed and stem cuttings

Garden Style: Oriental, zen

Companions: Crape myrtle, Indian hawthorn

Allergy Potential: High

https://www.monrovia.com/golden-rain-tree-44271.html

https://www.arborday.org/trees/treeguide/TreeDetail.cfm?ItemID=841

https://homeguides.sfgate.com/disadvantages-golden-rain-tree-67351.html

https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/koelreuteria-paniculata/

PURPLE CONEFLOWER [Echinacea purpurea]

 

WARNING: not for use as a medicinal, herb or tea if you are allergic to ragweed or marigold

Pretty, attracts pollinators. An all around perfect perennial for any garden.

You can find Echinacea seeds, plants and products in my shop.

Growing

Purple coneflower is a hardy herbaceous perennial.

It likes average well-drained soil, but can tolerate sandy.

It requires dark for germination, so a deeper 1/2 inch seed depth is preferred!

uses

Can last up to two weeks as a cut flower. Once dried, it makes a nice addition to dried arrangements.

The make a lovely container plant.

Flowers and leaves can be eaten in salad. All parts of the plant are edible. Leaves can be used as any edible green and chopped and added to soups.

Echinacea tea has been used for more than 500 years by Native Americans. Although tea is usually made using the leaves, roots and flowers, stems are less often used.

Final Thoughts

Serving so many uses such as edibility, cut flower, pollinator attractor, and dried accent, purple coneflower is truly one of the best plants to have in your garden. It is very easy to grow and flourishes once established. As with any perennial, we go by slow-grow-show. The 1st year we baby it, the 2nd year we cut off blooms and let the roots establish, then the 3rd year we get a show of beautiful blooms that will continue to get better each year.

specs

Echinacea purpurea

Type: Perennial

Uses: Medicinal, border

Hardiness Zone: 3-8, in colder climates provide protection the first year

Germination: Can be started indoors 6 weeks before last frost and transplanted out after frost date

Seed Prep: Cold stratify 11-14 weeks or direct sow in fall

Seed Depth: 1/2 inch

Germination Time: 10-14 days

Growing Temp: 68-70° F

Height: 2-5 feet Spread: 1-2 feet

Spacing: 2-3 feet

Sunlight: Full sun to partial shade, 4+ hours, less light/less flowers Water Requirements: Average, drought tolerant

Soil Quality: Well drained but not picky

Soil Chemistry: 6.5-7 pH neutral to acidic, but not picky

Fertilize: Top dress with compost in spring, do not over fertilize if in containers

Growth Rate: Up to 2 years for blooms

Bloomtime: Summer Attracts: Butterflies, bees Critter Resistant: Generally to deer

Critter Attractant: Rabbits

Harvest: New leaves, flowers, stems throughout growing season, roots after first frost

Pruning: Deadhead regularly, remove any mildewed/spotted leaves

Pests: Aphids, white fly, thrips, Japanese beetles, leaf hoppers, but pretty pest resistant

Diseases: Aster yellows [destroy plant if infected], mild mildew, botrytis, rhizoctonia, pythium

Reseeds: Yes

Propagation: Seeds, root divisions in early spring or late fall, low results from stem cuttings

Garden Style: English cottage

Companions: Black eyed Susan, butterfly weed, gaillardia, lupines, bee balm, cardinal flower, phlox, coreopsis, goldenrod, salvia, baby's breath, poppy, achillea, sage, catmint

Allergy Potential: Reactions might occur in some people, especially in people who are allergic to ragweed, mums, marigolds, or daisies. May cause redness, itchiness or rash when it comes into contact with the skin.

https://www.thespruce.com/echinacea-purple-coneflowers-1402840 https://www.organicfacts.net/health-benefits/herbs-and-spices/echinacea-tea.html

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30222488/

https://www.waltersgardens.com/variety.php?ID=ECHPE