Pride of India, Golden Rain Tree, Varnish Tree, Shrimp Tree, China Tree
The Golden Rain Tree (Koelreuteria paniculata) is a striking, medium-sized deciduous tree prized for its brilliant summer blooms, distinctive ornamental seed pods, and remarkable adaptability to urban environments. Highly tolerant of drought, heat, wind, and pollution, it thrives in cityscapes, parks, and residential gardens, making it a popular choice for landscape design.
This species belongs to the Sapindaceae family, which also includes well-known trees such as Japanese Maple (Acer palmatum), Sugar Maple (Acer saccharum), Red Maple (Acer rubrum), and Horse Chestnut (Aesculus hippocastanum).
Native to China, Japan, and Korea, the Golden Rain Tree was introduced to North America in 1763. With its vibrant summer blooms and unique ornamental seed pods, it has become a favored landscape tree in many regions.
The Golden Rain Tree is a deciduous tree with a spreading, rounded canopy. Its open branching pattern and attractive foliage make it a standout feature in any setting.
At maturity, this flowering tree typically reaches 30 to 40 feet (9-12 m) in height with an equal spread. It has a moderate to fast growth rate, particularly when young, adding 12 to 24 inches (30-60 cm) per year. Discover 35 Fast Growing Trees for Small Yards and Large Gardens
The Golden Rain Tree is a short-lived tree and has a lifespan of about 50 years.
Renowned for its brilliant yellow flowers, the Golden Rain Tree blooms in early to mid-summer, producing large, showy panicles measuring 12 to 15 inches (30-38 cm) long. These striking flowers, borne at the branch tips, last for several weeks, creating a spectacular floral display. As summer fades, they give way to hanging clusters of papery, lantern-like seed pods that transition from green to yellow and finally to a pinkish-brown hue in fall. These distinctive seed pods persist through winter, adding unique seasonal interest to the landscape.
The Golden Rain Tree features compound leaves that are either pinnately or bipinnately arranged. Each leaf measures 6 to 18 inches (15-45 cm) long and consists of 7-17 irregularly lobed leaflets. The foliage emerges in spring with a pinkish-bronze hue, turns bright green in summer, and transitions to a golden yellow in fall.
The bark is light grayish-brown with shallow ridges and furrows, adding to its ornamental appeal.
The Golden Rain Tree is hardy in USDA zones 5-9, tolerating a wide range of climates and soil conditions. It is heat, drought, wind, pollution, and urban conditions tolerant.
The Golden Rain Tree attracts pollinators such as bees. However, it has minimal wildlife value as a food source beyond its nectar-producing flowers.
This tree has moderate resistance to deer and rabbits, although young saplings may require protection.
While the tree is not highly toxic, its seeds contain compounds that may be harmful if ingested in large quantities.
The Golden Rain Tree readily self-seeds and has been classified as invasive in some regions. It can naturalize in disturbed areas, potentially outcompeting native species.
Water regularly during the first few years to establish deep roots. Once mature, the tree is drought-tolerant and requires minimal supplemental watering.
Golden Rain Tree does not typically require fertilization, but a balanced fertilizer in early spring can enhance growth if necessary.
Prune in late winter to remove dead, damaged, or crossing branches. The tree may develop weak wood, so regular maintenance helps improve its structure.
The Golden Rain Tree has no serious pest or disease issues but may experience occasional problems. It is susceptible to root rot, leaf spot, and cankers, particularly in poorly drained soils. Coral spot fungus can weaken branches, while verticillium wilt may cause leaf wilting and, in severe cases, tree decline. Occasionally, scale insects may infest the tree, and boxelder bugs may be attracted to its seed pods.
Hardiness |
5 - 9 |
---|---|
Heat Zones |
1 - 9 |
Climate Zones | 2, 2A, 2B, 3, 3A, 3B, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, A2 |
Plant Type | Trees |
Plant Family | Sapindaceae |
Common names | Golden Rain Tree |
Exposure | Full Sun |
Season of Interest | Summer (Early, Mid, Late), Fall |
Height | 30' - 40' (9.1m - 12.2m) |
Spread | 30' - 40' (9.1m - 12.2m) |
Maintenance | Low |
Water Needs | Low, Average |
Soil Type | Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand |
Soil pH | Acid, Alkaline, Neutral |
Soil Drainage | Moist but Well-Drained, Well-Drained |
Characteristics | Showy, Fruit & Berries |
Tolerance | Drought, Clay Soil, Deer |
Attracts | Bees |
Garden Styles | Informal and Cottage, Traditional Garden |
Hardiness |
5 - 9 |
---|---|
Heat Zones |
1 - 9 |
Climate Zones | 2, 2A, 2B, 3, 3A, 3B, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, A2 |
Plant Type | Trees |
Plant Family | Sapindaceae |
Common names | Golden Rain Tree |
Exposure | Full Sun |
Season of Interest | Summer (Early, Mid, Late), Fall |
Height | 30' - 40' (9.1m - 12.2m) |
Spread | 30' - 40' (9.1m - 12.2m) |
Maintenance | Low |
Water Needs | Low, Average |
Soil Type | Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand |
Soil pH | Acid, Alkaline, Neutral |
Soil Drainage | Moist but Well-Drained, Well-Drained |
Characteristics | Showy, Fruit & Berries |
Tolerance | Drought, Clay Soil, Deer |
Attracts | Bees |
Garden Styles | Informal and Cottage, Traditional Garden |
How many Koelreuteria paniculata (Golden Rain Tree) do I need for my garden?
Plant | Quantity | |
---|---|---|
Koelreuteria paniculata (Golden Rain Tree) | N/A | Buy Plants |
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Create a membership account to save your garden designs and to view them on any device.
Becoming a contributing member of Gardenia is easy and can be done in just a few minutes. If you provide us with your name, email address and the payment of a modest $25 annual membership fee, you will become a full member, enabling you to design and save up to 25 of your garden design ideas.
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