Chinese Flame Tree

15 Gallon

$179.00

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Chinese Flame Tree

Koelreuteria bipinnata

Summer Golden Rain & Lantern Seed Pods • Brilliant Yellow Fall Foliage • Fast-Growing & Heat Tolerant

$179.00

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Bay Area–Based Nursery

We specialize in plants grown and delivered in their original pots and soil.
Because of their size and weight, our plants are not suitable for long-distance shipping and are delivered locally to ensure health and quality.

While delivery is limited to our local service area, we’re happy to support garden design and plant selection remotely.

For local plant professionals, we’re always glad to connect and explore ways to support your customers.

The Chinese Flame Tree is a spectacular four-season tree that provides a long-lasting display. In late summer, it showers the ground with golden-yellow flowers, followed by eye-catching, lantern-like pink seed pods that persist into winter. Its adaptability to heat, drought, and poor soil, along with its brilliant yellow fall foliage, make it a popular and resilient choice for Bay Area landscapes where space allows.

Offers a sensational summer display with large panicles of small, golden-yellow flowers that create a "golden rain" effect when they drop.
Produces showy, papery, pink to rust-colored seed pods (husks) that resemble Chinese lanterns, providing exceptional ornamental interest from fall through winter.
Features bright green, fern-like compound leaves that turn a clear, golden yellow in autumn, adding a third season of color.
Fast-growing and highly adaptable to heat, drought, wind, and a variety of well-drained soils once established.
Note: It has a broad, spreading canopy and brittle wood that can be susceptible to breakage in strong winds. Prune when young to develop a strong structure.

Knowing how we measure the size?

When browsing our plants, you may notice size terms such as Gallon, Multi, or Stand. These describe how a plant is grown, containerized, or structured at the time of sale — not just its height. Understanding these terms will help you choose the right plant for your space and expectations.

🌱 Gallon Size (Container Size)

Gallon refers to the size of the nursery container the plant is currently growing in (e.g. 1 Gallon, 5 Gallon, 15 Gallon).

A larger gallon size generally means:
- A more established root system
- A sturdier plant
- Faster visual impact after planting
Example:
- 5 Gallon: Ideal for residential gardens, easy to handle, good balance of value and maturity
- 15 Gallon: More mature, provides quicker results in the landscape

Note: Gallon size does not guarantee a specific height, as growth varies by species.

🌳 Multi (Multi-Trunk / Multi-Branch Form)

Multi indicates the plant has multiple trunks or main stems growing from the base.

Commonly used for:
- Ornamental trees
- Feature plants
- Japanese maples, olives, crepe myrtles, etc.
Why choose Multi:
- Fuller, more sculptural appearance
- Strong visual presence even at younger ages
- Popular for design-focused landscapes

🌲 Stand (Single-Trunk / Standard Form)

Stand (short for Standard) refers to a single, dominant trunk with a raised or naturally formed canopy.

Commonly used for:
- Shade trees
- Street trees
- Orchard and structural plantings
Why choose Stand:
- Clean, classic tree form
- Easier clearance for walkways and lawns
- Preferred for long-term structure and uniformity

🌿 Choosing the Right Size

If you want instant impact → larger Gallon, Multi form
If you want long-term structure → Stand form
If you want flexibility and value → mid-size Gallon containers

If you’re unsure which size or form fits your project, our team is happy to help you select the best option based on your space, timeline, and design goals.

Features:Foliage: Bipinnate compound leaves (12-24") with 10-20 ovate leaflets, turning golden yellow in fall.Flowers: Panicles of golden star-shaped blooms creating "golden rain" effect.Fruit: Papery rose-colored lantern-like seed pods.Bark: Textured gray-brown with shallow fissures
Mature Size:Height: 25-45 ft.Width: 15-30 ft
Growth Rate: Moderate to fast
Light Needs: Full sun
Key Advantages:Extended seasonal interest (flowers for 6+ weeks).Heat and drought tolerant.Adaptable to various soils.Pest resistant
Landscape Uses:Striking lawn specimen.Urban street tree.Asian-themed gardens.Xeriscape focal point
Cultural Significance:Four-Season Show: Spring foliage → Summer blossoms → Autumn fruits → Winter structure。Folk Names: "Lantern Tree" (for its pods), "National Day Flower", "Money Tree", "Golden Rain Tree"

Q: Is it messy?
A: It can be. The fallen flowers, leaves, and eventually the papery seed pods create litter. It is best planted as a lawn specimen or in a park setting where the litter can decompose naturally, rather than over patios, driveways, or pools.

Q: How do I prevent branch breakage?
A: When the tree is young, prune to encourage a strong, central leader and well-spaced scaffold branches. Avoid planting it in excessively windy corridors. Its natural lifespan is not extremely long (30-50 years), and some branch drop is inherent to its growth habit.

Q: Is it related to the invasive Golden Rain Tree (Koelreuteria paniculata)?
A: They are in the same genus but different species. The Chinese Flame Tree (K. bipinnata) is generally not considered invasive in California, unlike the more commonly planted Golden Rain Tree (K. paniculata), which has seeded into wildlands in some areas. The Chinese Flame Tree is a preferable non-invasive choice.