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/