golden raintree (Koelreuteria paniculata)

Golden raintree at Denver Botanic Gardens at York Street.

Species info:

Leaves: Alternate, pinnate or bipinnately compound, 6–18 inches long with 7–15 leaflets. Each leaflet 1–4 inches long, coarsely serrated along the margins. Bright green in summer.

Leaflets: 7–15 per leaf; irregularly serrate and sometimes lobed.

Leaf Surface: Smooth, bright green, slightly glossy.

Bark: Light gray-brown; develops ridges and shallow furrows with age.

Flowers: Very showy, bright yellow, and fragrant; appear in large, loose clusters in late June to early July.

Fruit: Papery, lantern-like 3-valved capsules, 1½–2 inches long. Start light green and mature to tan-brown by late summer; contain three small, dark, round seeds.

Botanical: Koelreuteria paniculata

Family: Sapindaceae

Mature Height: 30 feet

Canopy Spread: 25 feet

Foliage Type: Deciduous

Tree Shape: Rounded to spreading; nearly as wide as tall

Growth Rate: Medium (approx. 12–18 inches per year)

Flowers: Mildly showy.

Fruit: Lanterns persist into winter.

Fall Color: Yellow, not notable.

Water Use: Low to moderate; drought-tolerant once established

Hardiness: USDA Zones 4–8

Soil Preference: Prefers well-drained soils; tolerant of drought, heat, and poor soil conditions

Wildlife Value: Attracts pollinators with fragrant flowers; seeds occasionally eaten by birds

Pests/Pathogens: No significant pests or diseases observed; generally low-maintenance

Planting Recommendations: Recommended for most sites along the Front Range and the Western Slope; exhibits exceptional resilience during drought conditions. Weak wood makes it vulnerable to snow-loading.

Information Sources:

• Front Range Tree Recommendation List

• Michael Dirr, Manual of Woody Landscape Plants (University of Georgia, 1990)

• Michael Kuhns, Trees of Utah and the Intermountain West (Utah State University Press, 1998)