Photographs above show Golden Rain Tree in midsummer bloom. These photographs were taken on July 4, 1999 in Louisville, Kentucky

Golden Rain Tree (Koelreuteria paniculata) is easily grown from seed offered by the GreenDealer Exotic Seeds selection of Trees & Shrubs and Rainforest Plants

A tree, of the Sapindaceae (Soapberry Family) with beautiful compound leaves. The Golden Rain Tree will grow to 30 ft. tall and will spread as wide as its height, usually in a round globe shape. It produces clusters of golden-yellow flowers in midsummer followed by brown triangular puffy seed pods usually containing 3 seeds. This tree is winter hardy, when grown in protected areas rather than out in the open, as far north as climate zone 5. Although originally from Asia, it is seen frequently in the lower Midwest and upper southern portions of the United States.

Golden Rain Tree is very adaptable to most soil conditions, and is usually pest free. It is easily propagated from seed when planted the first autumn or, if seed is stratified during the winter months, it can be planted the following spring.

Winter hardy to climate zone 6, or even zone 5 if planted in protected areas.

© 1998 Michael King