Goldenrain Tree

The Goldenrain Tree (Koelreuteria paniculata) is a medium-sized ornamental flowering tree. It is known for being a flashy shade tree. It has an open and spreading branching habit and a rounded form made up of pinnate or bipinnate compound leaves that mature to blue-green during the summer. Once its leaves mature, it brings on a lovely floral display of vivid yellow flowers emerging in clusters at the ends of the branches. When these flowers drop after several weeks it almost resembles a yellow, or golden rain, blanket on the ground beneath the canopy. Following the bloom is the coming on of the seed capsules which have a papery texture and mature to a nice rusty brown. They stay on the tree into the winter, adding interest to part of the winter season.

The Goldenrain Tree is native to Japan, China, and Korea. It was introduced to North America in 1763. This tree does very nicely next to patios and near lawns as an ornamental tree, but be aware of the falling flowers in summer and leaves in the fall. Can also be a nice showy shade tree in a garden. It is a low maintenance tree, with no pruning needed to keep its form or stay healthy, no threat of disease or pests, and drought tolerant once established. It prefers full sun and does not have a tolerance to soil type.