Chinese Flame Tree - Koelreuteria bipinnata

Chinese Flame Tree - Koelreuteria bipinnata

Few deciduous trees command seasonal attention like Koelreuteria bipinnata. From cascading summer flower panicles to a autumn canopy of red, orange, and gold, this is a specimen that earns its place in serious landscape design, and holds it year after year.

Why Chinese Flame Tree

Autumn colour: Foliage transitions through deep red, burnt orange, and gold, among the most dramatic seasonal displays available in the Australian climate.
Summer flowering: Large, airy panicles of yellow blooms appear in summer, followed by ornamental papery seed capsules that extend visual interest into autumn.
Light, open canopy: Dappled shade without density; well-suited to spaces where light penetration remains a priority.
Urban resilience: Performs reliably in heat, drought, and the demanding conditions of paved or constrained urban environments.
Refined habit: A naturally tidy, rounded form that integrates cleanly into structured planting schemes without heavy ongoing maintenance.

Ideal Applications

Specimen planting: Deployed as a single focal point, it delivers bold seasonal drama across all four seasons.
Avenue and boulevard planting: Manageable scale and consistent form make it a dependable choice for repetition along driveways and streetscapes.
Residential prestige properties: Adds layered seasonal colour to curated landscapes where year-round visual performance is expected.
Contemporary urban projects: Complements hard-edged, modern design with organic seasonal contrast.

Specimen & Installation

Spacing (feature/avenue): 8–12m
Planting Season: Autumn to early spring
Soil & Drainage: Well-drained soil; tolerates a range of soil types including clay and sandy loams; moderately drought tolerant once established
Establishment Care: Water deeply and regularly for the first two years to encourage deep root establishment, then reduce to supplemental watering during dry periods. Apply a layer of mulch around the root zone to retain moisture and suppress weeds.

Plant Details

Height: 10–15m
Width: 8–12m
Growth Rate: Fast
Foliage: Deciduous
Light: Full sun
Native to: China, Myanmar
Flower Colour: Yellow