Koelreuteria paniculata aka Goldenrain Tree

Taxonomy

Koelreuteria paniculata, also known as goldenrain tree, pride of India, China tree, and varnish tree, is a beautiful flowering plant that belongs to the Sapindaceae family. Originally from eastern Asia, specifically China and Korea, this tree was introduced in Europe in 1747 and later in America in 1763, becoming a popular landscape tree worldwide. Goldenrain tree is a medium-sized deciduous tree that grows to a mature height between 30 to 40 feet, with a nearly equal spread. It is an adaptable, lovely tree that tolerates less than ideal urban conditions such as drought, heat, wind, and air pollution. The tree features panicles of bright yellow, summer blooming flowers, lantern-like, papery seed capsules, and feathery leaves that shift from pinkish or purplish bronze in the spring to green in the summer and yellow in the fall. Goldenrain tree is an urban flowering tree that flowers at an early age with an upright display of yellow flowers, a rare color in flowering trees.

Common names

Goldenrain Tree, Varnishtree, Pride Of India

How to care for Goldenrain Tree

Difficulty

Goldenrain Tree presents a moderate level of care, which allows plant enthusiasts with some experience to expand their skills and knowledge.

Water

Goldenrain Tree should be watered regularly, allowing the soil to dry out between waterings.

Soil

The Goldenrain Tree is very susceptible to soil that is too wet, so it's essential to choose a potting soil that drains well and does not retain excessive moisture. A soil mix that includes plenty of perlite or vermiculite for drainage and some organic matter for nutrition is ideal. You can easily create this type of soil by adding a few handfuls of perlite to regular cactus soil from the store.

Lighting

Goldenrain Tree thrives in bright and direct sunlight. To ensure your plant receives enough light to survive, place it less than one foot from a window. The current weather in your area may affect the placement in your home. For example, if you live in a region that has longer and more intense periods of sunlight, then you may want to place the plant farther away from the window to avoid direct sunlight and reduce the risk of sunburn. Alternatively, if you live in a region with relatively milder temperatures and less intense sunlight, then you may be able to place the plant closer to the window for increased exposure. Ultimately, the current weather in your area should be taken into consideration when determining the best placement for your Pride Of India.

Dormancy

During the wintertime, it's common for Goldenrain Tree to go dormant and their growth may slow down, so waterings should be spaced out more.

Toxicity

No verified data on the toxicity of this plant exists within Ploi's records. Should you, someone in your family, or your pet ingest plant material with an unknown toxicity level, it is recommended to seek medical advice.

Fertilizer

Once the Goldenrain Tree has doubled in size or after a year has passed, it should be moved to a new pot. By replacing the soil with fresh potting soil containing all the vital nutrients, your plant will receive all the sustenance it needs, negating the requirement for fertilizer. It's important to remember that plants get their energy from the sun, not fertilizer.

Growth-pattern

Goldenrain Tree grows vertically and new growth emerges from the top of the plant.

Region of origin

Goldenrain Tree’s native range is E. Asia - N. China. Naturalized in Japan and S. Europe.


More info:
Wikipedia