Koelreuteria paniculata, goldenrain tree
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Broadleaf Deciduous Trees

Koelreuteria paniculata

goldenrain tree

SapindaceaeAsia

At a Glance

TypeTree
HabitSpreading
FoliageDeciduous
Height25–40 feet (7.5–12 m)
Width25–40 feet (7.5–12 m)
Maturity12 years

Growing Zones

USDA Hardiness Zones

5 - 9
Zone 5
Zone 6
Zone 7
Zone 8
Zone 9
These zones indicate the coldest temperatures this plant can typically survive.
Frost Tolerancehardy

Key Features

Attracts Pollinators
Attracts Butterflies
Deer Resistant
Drought Tolerant
Maintenancelow

Overview

Koelreuteria paniculata, commonly called goldenrain tree or pride of India, is a medium-sized deciduous tree in the family Sapindaceae native to northern China and Korea. It occupies a rare and valuable niche in the temperate garden calendar: one of the very few trees producing large, showy flower clusters in midsummer — July through August — when most flowering trees have long finished for the season. The large, upright to spreading panicles 12–18 inches (30–45 cm) long carry hundreds of small, bright yellow, four-petaled flowers that shed their petals in a golden shower — the origin of the common name. These are followed by the tree's most distinctive ornamental feature: inflated, papery, three-valved seed capsules 1.5–2 inches (4–5 cm) long resembling Chinese paper lanterns, initially pale green, maturing through pink-red to tan-brown, and persisting ornamentally through autumn. Trees grow 25–40 feet (7.5–12 m) tall and wide with a broadly rounded, spreading crown. The pinnate to bipinnate leaves 6–18 inches (15–45 cm) long carry coarsely lobed or toothed leaflets that emerge with a reddish-bronze tinge in spring, mature to bright green in summer, and turn yellow in autumn. Excellent urban tolerance: adaptable to drought, poor soils, heat, and alkaline pH. A Great Plant Pick for Pacific Northwest gardens; note that the species naturalizes readily from seed and is considered invasive in parts of the eastern United States.

Native Range

Native to rocky hillsides, dry slopes, and disturbed areas in northern and central China and Korea, growing in well-drained, often poor soils in a climate with cold winters and hot summers. Introduced to Europe in 1763 and widely planted in North American landscapes. Naturalized in parts of the eastern United States and considered invasive in some regions. Not native to North America.

Suggested Uses

Koelreuteria paniculata is outstanding as a midsummer-flowering specimen tree for Pacific Northwest streets, parks, and large gardens — filling the critical July–August flowering gap when almost no other hardy deciduous tree is in bloom. A Great Plant Pick for Pacific Northwest gardens. Excellent as a street tree, lawn specimen, and park tree where its midsummer flowers, ornamental seed capsules, and urban tolerance can be appreciated. Note potential for naturalization from seed; remove capsules in naturalized-vegetation settings. Allow 25–35 feet (7.5–10.5 m) clearance from structures.

How to Identify

Goldenrain tree is identified in summer by its large, upright panicles 12–18 inches (30–45 cm) long of hundreds of small, bright yellow, four-petaled flowers in July–August — a combination of timing and flower form unique among commonly grown deciduous trees. The pinnate to bipinnate leaves 6–18 inches (15–45 cm) have coarsely lobed to toothed leaflets and a somewhat irregular outline. Most distinctive in autumn: inflated, papery, three-valved capsules 1.5–2 inches (4–5 cm) resembling Chinese paper lanterns, green to pink-red to tan, persist after leaf drop. The combination of midsummer yellow flowers and distinctive inflated capsules is immediately diagnostic.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height25' - 40'
Width/Spread25' - 40'

Reaches mature size in approximately 12 years

Colors

Flower Colors

yellow

Foliage Colors

green

Fall Foliage Colors

yellow

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~4 weeks
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Summer
Koelreuteria paniculata blooms in midsummer, typically July through August in Pacific Northwest gardens, over three to four weeks — one of the latest-blooming flowering trees in the temperate garden. Large, upright panicles 12–18 inches (30–45 cm) long carry hundreds of small, bright yellow flowers that shed petals in a golden cascade. The tree is a significant nectar source for bees in midsummer when few trees are in flower. The inflated, papery seed capsules that follow are ornamentally attractive from August through November.

Detailed Descriptions

Flower Description

Bright yellow; small, 4-petaled, in large upright panicles 12–18 inches (30–45 cm); July–August

Foliage Description

Pinnate to bipinnate, 6–18 inches (15–45 cm); coarsely lobed or toothed leaflets; reddish-bronze emerging, bright green in summer

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

Full Sun
Requires 6-12 hours of direct sunlight daily
• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight
• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight
• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight

Soil Requirements

pH Range5.5 - 8.0(Neutral)
357912
Soil Types
loamclaysandchalk
Drainage
well drained

Water & Climate

Water Needs

Low

Frost Tolerance

hardy

Time to Maturity

10–15 years

Drought Tolerance

Drought tolerant when established

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Plant in full sun in well-drained, moderately fertile soil. Koelreuteria paniculata is highly adaptable to poor, dry, alkaline, and compacted soils and is an excellent urban tree for Pacific Northwest streets and parks. Water regularly for the first two to three years; established trees are drought-tolerant. Little fertilization needed. Flowers and fruits most prolifically in a hot, sunny position — Pacific Northwest west-side gardens may produce less spectacular flowering in cool summers compared to hotter east-side locations. Self-seeds prolifically; remove seedlings as they appear to prevent naturalization. No significant pest or disease problems in the Pacific Northwest.

Pruning

Prune for structural form in the first five to ten years to establish a central leader or high, well-spaced scaffold branches, in late winter (February–March) while dormant. Established trees require minimal pruning. Remove dead, crossing, or structurally weak branches as needed. The naturally rounded, spreading crown develops well without heavy intervention.

Pruning Schedule

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early spring

Maintenance Level

low

⚠️ Toxicity Warning

Toxic to pets and humans
Koelreuteria paniculata (goldenrain tree) - Identification & Care Guide | PlantRef