Koelreuteria paniculata Tree

Koelreuteria paniculata is popular for its profuse bright yellow flowers in July-August against attractive, pinnate, foliage. The lovely flowers are also excellent for pollinating insects. After flowering, large, pretty lantern-shaped dry fruits each containing a hard seed, adorn the branches.

The green foliage is bronze when first appearing and turns orange and yellow in the autumn for a fiery display.

Koelreuteria paniculata is a stunning, medium sized tree that will develop a rounded crown and reach an estimated height and spread of 6 x 4 metres in 20 years. It requires a sunny position and will tolerate atmospheric pollution and dry conditions.

AKA Golden Rain Tree, China Tree, Pride of India Tree

• Common name: Golden Rain Tree
• Height and spread in 20 years: 6 x 4 metres
• Seasons of interest: Spring, Summer, Autumn
• Foliage: Mid-green leaves, turning orange and yellow in autumn
• Soil: Tolerant of all soils
• Position: Full sun

Planting Advice for Koelreuteria paniculata

Our pot grown Golden Rain trees can be planted at any time of year. Choose a sunny location to plant them, then remove  weeds and grass within a metre of this location. Dig a square hole as deep as the root mass and approximately 2x as wide. To help your tree establish more effectively, sprinkle Mycorrhizal root grow in the hole (for pot grown trees), especially if you have poor soil.

Gently loosen the tree roots and place into the planting hole. If your soil is poor, mix 50% of the original soil with 50% high quality compost, fill in the hole and firm around gently. Make sure not to bank the soil up around the collar of the tree.

We recommend planting single stem forms of  Koelreuteria with a stake and tie and if needed, a rabbit guard. The advice section has further information.

Aftercare of Koelreuteria paniculata

If you’re planting Pride of India trees in spring, summer or dry weather, water well and regularly for the first few months. Make sure to keep an eye on young trees and increase watering if there are extended periods of hot or dry weather. If you’re planting in autumn, you may only need to water your tree a little.

Once planted, keep the area free of competing weeds and grass for the first couple of growing seasons. Installing mulch matting will aid in this. Do not just mow the grass in the area as this will only encourage it to grow more vigorously.

Pruning Advice for Koelreuteria paniculata

Golden Rain trees do not require regular pruning. If you wish to tidy it up, do so during the dormant season. Focus on removing any damaged, diseased or overcrowded branches. If you require a clear trunk, remove any side shoots to help raise the crown.

Delivery Costs

*Free delivery promotion excludes mature trees, extra large kits and delivery to Highlands or Islands. Discount applies at checkout.

Delivery Times

Next Day Despatch
We will always try to get your plants to you as quickly as possible.  For many of our trees and plants, if you order today we will despatch your order within 24 hours.  We are constantly adding to our range of next day plants, and we do not add a surcharge for this service. Click here to see our next day delivery plants.

Standard Delivery
We have one of the widest range of trees in the UK, and for those plants which we cannot despatch next day we will normally despatch within 4 weeks. The despatch time for different products will be confirmed when products are added to your shopping basket

Pre-orders
We will only want to deliver your orders when they are perfect for planting! Depending on the season and how well the plants are growing, we will give our best estimates of the despatch dates for pre-orders.  These dates may vary and by species and while we will always try to deliver within these timeframes if the expected despatch does change then we will notify you by email.

Special Orders
Orders containing pleached or mature trees (trees over 2.5m in height) are delivered within 3 weeks. They require specialist delivery and are grouped geographically. Any customers ordering pleached or mature trees will be contacted and notified of their delivery date.

If your trees are required by a specific date, please let us know as soon as possible; while we can’t offer any guarantees we will always do our best to accommodate you. You can leave instructions in the notes field on the Delivery Page of the Checkout or send us an email at [email protected].

Please note that orders are shipped once all the trees in the order are ready.

Collections
Collections are by appointment only at our West Yorkshire-based nursery. If you would like to place an order for collection, please get in touch before placing your order. You will not be charged a delivery cost for a collection and any delivery cost that has been applied will be refunded.

The product table at the bottom of the page gives the forms and sizes available for this variety. Please note, photos are a guideline as all plants are unique. *Pot sizes may vary. Below are definitions of terms:

Supplied Size: Height measured from the top of the pot.

Single Stem tree: Classic tree with one trunk, pruned for a beautiful, natural shape.

Top grafted tree: A height next to this form refers to the length of clear stem, which will not grow taller. Only the head of branches will develop. Ideal for small spaces.

Feathered tree: Branches from the bottom of the trunk all the way up. These branches can be removed if a clear stem is required.

Multi Stem tree: Two or more stems arising from or near ground level, growing from one root system.

Bush: A plant with many stems low down, rather than one clear stem.

Clump: Several plants in one pot that give the appearance of a bushy multi stem tree.

Climber: Naturally climbing plant. Usually delivered running up a cane, ready to position in the garden.

Standard Tree: A more mature tree with an upright clear stem of approximately 1.8m-2.0m (measured from the soil to the lowest branches of the crown). Standards are available in different forms relating to their girth size (circumference of the stem measured 1m above soil level), not height.