Chinese flame tree
Koelreuteria bipinnata
USDA zones7 to 9
SunNeeds full sun (6+ hours)
WaterHandles dry to moist soil
Size20 to 40 feet tall20 to 40 feet wide
- Growth rate
- Rapid
- Habit
- Erect
- Bloom season
- Summer, autumn
- Bloom color
- Yellow, red
- Foliage color
- Green
- Soil types
- Sand, loam, clay
- Soil pH
- Acid, alkaline, neutral
Garden uses
Notes
Chinese flame tree (Koelreuteria bipinnata) is a tree for low maintenance gardens, specimen planting, and accent. It is hardy to USDA zone 7, or down to 0°F (-18°C). This plant likes full sun and dry to moist, sandy, loamy, or clay soil. It is not a favorite of deer, though hungry deer will eat almost anything. It grows fast and can reach 20 to 40 feet tall and wide. Yellow and red blooms appear in summer and autumn.
Pairs well with Karl Foerster feather reed grass, Magnus coneflower, and Late boneset.
Native range
South central and southeastern China and Vietnam.