Family: Sapindaceae
Common Name: Golden Rain Tree

These graceful, deciduous trees from eastern Asia are grown for their lovely foliage, flowers and decorative fruit. They are thought to have inspired the willow pattern design. These trees are well suited to milder climates and flower best where summers are hot.

Species

K. paniculata, zone 5, to 10-12 m (33-40 ft) tall, makes a delightful garden addi­tion, with long, showy sprays of deep yellow flowers in summer, followed by papery, blad­der-like, pinkish brown pods. The large, com­pound leaves colour gold in autumn. This is the most commonly cultivated species. Two other hand-some species K. bipimata, zone 8, and K. ele­gans, zone 9, which grow to 15 m (50 ft) in their habitats, are also cultivated.

Cultivation

Koelreuterias prefer warm, dry con­ditions and a reasonably rich soil, and need to be planted in full sun. They can be propagated from seed sown in autumn and germinated in a garden frame, or from root cuttings in winter under glass.

Climate

There are species suited to various climatic zones.