Koelreuteria paniculata - Evergreen Trees Direct

Koelreuteria paniculata

$620.00

Tax included. Shipping calculated at checkout.

Size: 100L

100L 200L 300L

Current Stock Height Guides

100L: 2.1m – 3.2m Approx.
200L: 2.4m – 3.2m Approx.
300L: 2.6m – 3.8m Approx.

Height guide disclaimer: Height ranges are approximate only. As living products, plant heights naturally vary between individual plants, batches, and seasons. No guarantee is given that supplied plants will fall within the stated range. If minimum heights are required, you mustconfirm current batch heights with Evergreen Trees Direct prior to purchase. Variation in height is normal and is not grounds for return, refund, replacement, or compensation.

Mature Height & Width

Mature Height: 5m to 10m (approx.)

Mature Width: 6m to 9m

Koelreuteria paniculata is expected to grow 30cm to 60cm per year (approx.).

Root Ball Dimensions

Use this as a reference when digging your planting hole. We recommend digging at least 10% wider than the dimensions below to encourage strong root development.

30cm Pot: 33cm (W) × 30cm (D)
40cm/45L Pot: 44cm (W) × 41.5cm (D)
50cm Pot / 70L Pot: 55cm (W) × 41.8cm (D)
100L Bag: 50.6cm (W) × 52.8cm (D)
150L Bag: 66cm (W) × 55cm (D)
200L Bag: 71.5cm (W) × 60.5cm (D)
300L Bag: 88cm (W) × 63.8cm (D)
400L Bag: 99cm (W) × 66cm (D)
500L Bag: 122cm (W) × 66cm (D)
750L Bag: 134cm (W) × 69cm (D)
1000L Bag: 146.3cm (W) × 71.5cm (D)
2000L Bag: 176cm (W) × 82.5cm (D)

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Email: sales@evergreentrees.com.au

Phone: (03) 7042 3318

About Your New Koelreuteria paniculata

Koelreuteria paniculata, the Golden Rain Tree, is a deciduous shade tree with a rounded, vase-shaped canopy and pinnate leaves that open bronze-pink and turn mid green. Large open sprays of small yellow flowers are followed by papery lantern-shaped seed capsules that hang on well after the flowers finish.

It grows 30 to 60 centimetres a year to a mature 6 to 9 metres tall and wide. Full sun to part shade suits it, along with most soils that drain. It is frost hardy, wind firm, tolerant of heat, pollution and compacted urban ground, and drought tolerant once established. Autumn colour is a clear yellow.

It is planted as a street and car park tree, a shade tree over lawn, and a feature in a courtyard or nature strip where a moderate canopy is needed. Space feature trees 3 to 4 metres apart, or 3 metres for an avenue. It gives flower, autumn colour and shade from one tree.

Frequently Asked Questions

About Golden Rain Tree

What is a Golden Rain Tree?

Koelreuteria paniculata is a deciduous ornamental tree from China and Korea, also called the Chinese Flame Tree. It is grown for three things: sprays of yellow summer flowers, the papery lantern-like seed pods that follow them, and clear yellow autumn foliage. It sits in the Sapindaceae family, alongside maples and lychee.

How big does Koelreuteria paniculata grow?

It matures at around 6 to 9 metres tall with a canopy of similar spread, so allow 6 to 9 metres of width when siting it. The crown is vase-shaped when young and rounds out with age. Advanced stock in the larger containers is usually 2 to 4 metres tall at planting.

When does it flower?

Flowering is late spring into summer, roughly November to January depending on the district, with large loose panicles of small yellow flowers held above the foliage. The flowers drop to leave a yellow carpet beneath the tree, and the seed capsules that follow ripen from green through pink to brown into autumn.

Is it evergreen or deciduous?

Deciduous. It drops its leaves through the colder months and stands bare in winter, which makes it useful on the north side of a house where winter sun is wanted. The leaves colour yellow before falling. New growth in spring opens with a bronze-pink tint before turning green.

How fast does it grow?

Around 30 to 60 centimetres a year, which is moderate for a shade tree. It is faster in the early years and slows as the canopy fills out. Good soil preparation, deep watering through the first two summers and a maintained mulch ring will keep it at the upper end of that range.

Does it have invasive roots?

It is not regarded as an aggressively rooted tree and is widely used in streets and car parks for that reason. The roots are reasonably deep and fibrous rather than surface running. Even so, give it a few metres of clearance from paving, drainage lines and house footings, as you would for any tree of this size.

How do I care for a Golden Rain Tree?

Water deeply through the first two summers, then it looks after itself in most seasons. Mulch out to the drip line, keeping mulch off the trunk. Prune in late winter while it is bare, removing crossing branches and lifting the crown if clearance is needed. It self-seeds in some districts, so pull unwanted seedlings early.

Enriched Planting Mix (AO Certified)

$21.95

Enriched Planting Mix is a certified organic blend of Pure Magic Compost, composted animal manure, gypsum, composted coarse bark and a wetting agent, bagged in 30L. It is built to be dug through existing garden soil at planting time rather than used on its own, and the gypsum is what sets it apart from a plain compost.

Gypsum helps break up heavy clay so water and roots can move through it, while the compost and manure return organic matter and nutrient to tired ground. The coarse bark holds structure and keeps air around the root zone, and the wetting agent keeps moisture in the soil longer after rain or watering.

Use it when planting trees, shrubs, roses, fruit trees and exotic garden plants, particularly into clay. Dig a hole twice the width of the pot and 7 centimetres deeper, then mix roughly one third planting mix through the excavated soil. Spread 7 centimetres of that improved soil in the base before setting the plant in.

Frequently Asked Questions

About Enriched Planting Mix

What is Enriched Planting Mix made from?

It is a blend of Pure Magic Compost, composted animal manure, gypsum, composted coarse bark and a wetting agent. Each part has a job. The compost and manure supply organic matter and nutrient, the gypsum works on clay structure, the bark keeps air around the roots and the wetting agent holds moisture in the soil.

What plants is it suitable for?

It suits exotic garden plants, including roses, ornamental and deciduous trees, fruit trees, shrubs and perennials, and it earns its keep most on heavy clay sites. It is a planting mix rather than a potting mix, so its job is improving soil at planting time. Phosphorus sensitive natives are the one clear exception.

Is it safe for natives?

No, not for the phosphorus sensitive ones. The composted animal manure in this blend lifts phosphorus well above what Proteaceae such as Banksia, Grevillea, Hakea and Protea will tolerate, and the result can be leaf burn, dieback and plant death. Use the Native Potting Mix for those species, or plant them into unimproved local soil.

Is it certified organic?

Yes. It is a certified organic product with no chemical additives, which is why the manure and compost in it are fully composted rather than raw. That makes it sound around fruit trees and vegetable beds, and it means you are adding genuine organic matter to your soil rather than a synthetic conditioner.

How much do I need?

Work on roughly one third planting mix to two thirds of the soil you dug out of the hole. For a shrub out of a 200 millimetre pot that is only a few litres. An advanced tree going into a large hole will take considerably more. Judge the quantity by the volume of the hole rather than the size of the plant.

Can I use it in pots?

It is not a potting mix and should not be used on its own in a container. The blend is designed to be diluted through garden soil, and used straight in a pot it holds too much water and settles badly. For containers, reach for a premium potting mix, or the native mix if you are potting natives.

Does it need to be watered in?

Yes. Water the plant well several hours before you plant it, then water thoroughly again once the hole is backfilled and the soil firmed down. That first deep watering settles the improved soil around the root ball and drives out air pockets. Keep the water up over the first few months while the roots establish.

View full details

Type: Garden Supplies

Enriched Planting Mix (AO Certified)

$21.95

Type: Australian Native

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Uses in my Garden

Feature Tree
Shade Tree
Avenue Planting
Street Tree

Koelreuteria paniculata works in an:

Formal Garden – structured, symmetrical design with clipped shapes.
Cottage Garden – romantic mix of flowers, colour, and texture.
Modern Garden – sleek, minimal, and design-led planting.
Low-maintenance Garden – resilient choices for easy care and year-round appeal.

Is Koelreuteria paniculata Evergreen or Deciduous?

Koelreuteria paniculata is an Deciduous (Defoliates throughout colder months) Tree

Mature Height & Width

Mature Height: 5m to 10m (approx.)

Mature Width: 6m to 9m

Koelreuteria paniculata is expected to grow 30cm to 60cm per year (approx.).

Growth Rate of Koelreuteria paniculata

Koelreuteria paniculata is expected to grow 30cm to 60cm per year (approx.).

They are considered to have a:

Medium Growth Rate

Frost Tolerance & Ideal Climate to plant Koelreuteria paniculata

Is Koelreuteria paniculata frost tolerant?

Koelreuteria paniculata is Frost Hardy – Survives heavy and frequent frost without damage.

Does Koelreuteria paniculata Flower?

Koelreuteria paniculata produces large, airy panicles of bright golden-yellow flowers in mid- to late summer. These showy, upright clusters rise above the foliage and create a brilliant seasonal display, later followed by decorative papery lantern-like seed pods that add long-lasting ornamental interest.

Does Koelreuteria paniculata flower?

Yes - Flowers

Flowering Period:

Spring
Summer

Flower Type:

Clustered

Flower Colour:

Yellow

Is Koelreuteria paniculata an Australian Native Tree?

No

Koelreuteria paniculata is Native to Eastern Asia, particularly China and Korea, where it grows naturally in open forests and along riverbanks.

What is the Wildlife Value of Koelreuteria paniculata ?

Its nectar-rich summer flowers attract bees, butterflies and a broad range of beneficial pollinators, while the papery seed pods provide food and habitat for insects. The dense canopy offers shelter and perching sites for small birds, enhancing biodiversity in ornamental and urban gardens.

How much Sunlight does Koelreuteria paniculata need?

Koelreuteria paniculata will thrive best in:

Full Sun
Part Shade

Preferred Soil?

Koelreuteria paniculata performs best in well-drained loam or sandy loam soils and tolerates slightly acidic to slightly alkaline conditions. Hardy and adaptable, it may still struggle in heavy clay or poorly drained areas unless improved with organic matter and coarse material to enhance aeration. Keep soil evenly moist during establishment, then transition to deep, occasional watering as the tree matures to support its drought resilience, dependable flowering and healthy, broad canopy.

Is Koelreuteria paniculata Drought Tolerant?

Is Koelreuteria paniculata Drought tolerant?

As a young tree it requires regular watering, but once established the Golden Rain Tree develops good drought tolerance. It thrives in warm, dry and urban environments, maintaining its rounded canopy and reliable summer flowering with deep, occasional watering during extended dry periods.

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How To Plant Your Koelreuteria paniculata

Site: Choose a well-drained position in full sun to part shade with room for the canopy to develop.

Soil preparation: Enrich the planting area with quality compost and aged manure for a strong establishment phase.

Hole: Dig twice as wide as the root ball and the same depth.

Planting: Position level with the surrounding soil, backfill gently, firm in, then water deeply to settle the roots.

Recommended Planting Spacing For Your Koelreuteria paniculata

Feature tree: 3 to 4 metres apart to allow the full canopy and form to develop.

Avenue planting: 3 metres apart for a uniform soft-textured avenue.

Koelreuteria paniculata is expected to grow 30cm to 60cm per year (approx.).

Medium Growth Rate

Long Term Care For Your Koelreuteria paniculata

Watering: Water deeply twice weekly through the first 12 months. Once established, reduce to once weekly in dry periods. Mulch helps maintain consistent moisture.

Mulching: Apply a 5 to 7 centimetre layer of organic mulch over the root zone, keeping it 5 centimetres clear of the trunk.

Pruning: Minimal pruning required. Light tip prune in late winter to maintain shape, and remove lower branches as the tree grows to develop a clean feature trunk.

Fertilising: Apply a slow-release general-purpose fertiliser in early spring and again in autumn for steady growth and consistent foliage colour.

Pest and disease: Hardy against most pests and diseases. Occasional scale or caterpillar inspection in warm humid conditions is all that's needed.

Planting Your Koelreuteria paniculata in Different Soil

Koelreuteria paniculata performs best in well-drained loam or sandy loam with a slightly acidic to neutral pH. Adaptable to a wide range of soils when drainage is improved with organic matter.

Sandy soil: Free-draining and ideal. Mulch well to maintain consistent moisture.

Clay soil: Improve drainage with gypsum and organic compost before planting.

Loam: The preferred soil for steady root development and consistent growth.

pH: Slightly acidic to neutral preferred. Mulch with composted leaf litter to maintain levels naturally.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Are the seed capsules of Koelreuteria paniculata toxic?
A: While the seeds and capsules are not considered highly toxic, they should not be consumed, and it's best to keep them out of reach of children and pets.

Q: Can I grow the Golden Rain Tree in a container or as a bonsai?
A: While it's not typically grown as a bonsai, you can grow young Golden Rain Trees in containers. However, they will thrive best when planted in the ground once established.

Q: Is this tree suitable for urban environments?
A: Yes, Koelreuteria paniculata is adaptable to urban conditions and pollution, making it a great choice for street planting and city gardens.