Koelreuteria bipinnata
A spreading, deciduous tree to 8m tall, with large, 2-pinnate leaves composed of opposite pairs of finely toothed, oval leaflets. Red-spotted yellow flowers are borne in pyramidal clusters to 30cm long in late summer; these are followed by unusual, inflated, pink-or red-flushed fruit capsules. A fine specimen tree, flowering best where summers are hot
Size
Ultimate height
4–8 metresTime to ultimate height
20–50 yearsUltimate spread
2.5–4 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Well–drainedpH
Acid, Alkaline, NeutralColour & scent
| Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
| Spring | Green | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | Yellow | Green | ||
| Autumn | Green | Pink Red | ||
| Winter |
Position
- Full sun
Aspect
South–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Sheltered Hardiness
H5Botanical details
- Family
- Sapindaceae
- Native to the UK
- No
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Habit
- Spreading branched
- Genus
Koelreuteria are slender deciduous trees with attractive, pinnately-divided leaves and panicles of yellow flowers followed by bladdery fruits
- Name status
Correct
- Plant range
- S.W. China
How to grow
Cultivation
Grow in fertile, well-drained soil in full sun
Propagation
Propagate by sowing seed in containers in a cold frame in autumn. Take root cuttings or graft in late winter
Suggested planting locations and garden types
- Architectural
Pruning
See pruning group 1; prune only to remove damaged or dead wood when dormant in winter
Pests
May be susceptible to glasshouse red spider mite
Diseases
May be susceptible to honey fungus
Get involved
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