Chinese Flame Tree

Chinese Flame Tree (Koelreuteria bipinnata) earns its name twice over: yellow flower panicles across summer, then papery seed capsules that flush deep pink and hang on the tree for months. It grows to about 9m tall and 7m wide with an open spreading crown, giving genuine shade without the density that kills a lawn underneath. Autumn turns the fine divided foliage clear yellow before it drops.

Why you'll love it

• Two displays from one tree. Sprays of small yellow flowers through summer, followed by lantern shaped seed capsules that colour rose pink and last well into autumn.
• Shade you can plant under. The crown is open and the leaflets are fine, so grass and understorey plants keep enough light to grow properly.
• Deciduous where it counts. It shades the house through summer, then drops its leaves and lets winter sun back in.
• Undemanding. Frost hardy, heat tolerant, drought tolerant once established and content in poor soil, so it asks very little after the first two years.

Where it works best

Shade tree. A single tree over a lawn or patio covers about 7m at maturity. Set it 5m or more from the house so the crown can spread evenly.

Feature planting. The pink seed capsules are what people stop and ask about, so give it a position you see from indoors.

Driveways and avenues. Matched trees at 8m to 10m centres line a drive well and stay in proportion on a suburban block.

Growing Chinese Flame Tree in Australia

Position and climate. Full sun for the best flowering and the strongest autumn colour. It suits subtropical, warm temperate, cool temperate and Mediterranean gardens. Frost is no problem for an established tree, and in cooler southern gardens the autumn display is the more reliable of the two.

Soil. Adaptable and forgiving. It grows in poor, sandy and rocky ground as readily as good garden soil, given reasonable drainage. Dig the hole twice the width of the pot, backfill with the soil you removed, and mulch 75mm deep clear of the trunk.

Water and feed. Deep soak twice a week through the first two summers while the roots go down, then it manages on rainfall in most seasons. A complete slow release fertiliser in early spring is plenty. Overfeeding produces soft growth and fewer flowers.

Pruning. Prune in winter while it is bare. Remove crossing branches early to build a strong framework and lift the lower limbs for clearance. After that it needs almost nothing.

What to expect when it arrives

It is grown in 45L and 100L sizes, so this is an advanced tree rather than a young whip. Both arrive with a formed trunk and a branched head, and the 100L gives you a tree with real presence on planting day.

If it arrives in winter it will be bare or nearly so, which is normal for a deciduous tree and not a fault. Expect the first leaves in spring and roughly 300mm to 500mm of growth a year once settled. Trees are delivered Australia wide, with delivery from $29.95. Advanced and large stock is freighted at cost, and every plant carries our 30 day healthy plant guarantee.

Plant care guides and related reading

• Choosing a canopy tree for shade
• Browse trees and plants for autumn colour
• Compare the deciduous tree range
• Evergreen or deciduous: how to choose

Common questions

How big does it get?

About 9m tall and 7m wide in a garden setting, with the width worth planning for. It is a moderate grower, so allow ten to fifteen years to reach full size.

Are the roots a problem near paving?

The root system is not aggressive by the standards of a tree this size, but the trunk will thicken. Leave at least 3m between the trunk and paths, driveways or a slab.

Will it get autumn colour in a warm climate?

In subtropical gardens the leaves turn a softer yellow and drop later, sometimes barely at all in a mild winter. Cool temperate and Mediterranean gardens give the clearest colour.