{"product_id":"koelreuteria-bipinnata","title":"Koelreuteria bipinnata","description":"\u003ch2\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eChinese Flame Tree\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBotanical Name:\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003cem\u003eKoelreuteria bipinnata\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFamily:\u003c\/strong\u003e Sapindaceae\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOrigin:\u003c\/strong\u003e Southern China\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePlant Type:\u003c\/strong\u003e Deciduous Feature Tree\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOverview\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Chinese Flame Tree is one of the most theatrically rewarding deciduous trees you can plant in a South Australian garden. Its feathery, bipinnate foliage emerges fresh in spring, showy panicles of golden-yellow flowers crown the canopy in late summer, and the showstopping act — papery, lantern-shaped seed pods that flush salmon-pink as the canopy turns gold — arrives through autumn. Adaptable to clay, loam, and sandy soils across Adelaide's plains, Hills, and inland regions, it requires minimal water once established and is frost hardy when mature.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eKey Features\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMature Size:\u003c\/strong\u003e 6–9 m H × 6–9 m W in typical SA garden conditions; capable of reaching 15–20 m H × 5–6 m W at full maturity over many decades in ideal situations\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eGrowth Rate:\u003c\/strong\u003e Moderate to fast; 30–50 cm per year in warm, well-drained soils; develops a broad, rounded, spreading canopy with age\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFoliage:\u003c\/strong\u003e Bipinnate (twice-divided) leaves composed of numerous small leaflets giving a soft, fern-like, almost tropical texture; mid-green through spring and summer, turning clear golden-yellow before autumn leaf fall; provides pleasant dappled shade in summer\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFlowers:\u003c\/strong\u003e Large, airy terminal panicles of bright golden-yellow flowers; non-fragrant; late summer to early autumn (January–March in SA); individual panicles up to 30–40 cm long; a striking mid-summer canopy spectacle\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSeasonal Interest:\u003c\/strong\u003e Exceptional four-season performance — fresh lacy leaf-out in spring; cascading golden flower panicles in summer; dramatic pink-to-salmon papery lantern seed pods through autumn alongside golden foliage colour; elegant bare winter silhouette with smooth grey bark\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWildlife Value:\u003c\/strong\u003e Late-summer flowers attract bees and butterflies, bridging a valuable pollinator gap between spring and autumn-flowering species\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTolerance:\u003c\/strong\u003e Drought-tolerant once established (2+ years); frost hardy when mature (tolerates –5 °C and below); heat-tolerant through South Australian summers; adaptable to clay, loam, and sandy soils; tolerant of urban conditions and air pollution\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePlanting Density:\u003c\/strong\u003e Avenue or street planting: space 6–8 m apart (centreline to centreline) for a linked canopy effect; garden specimen: allow a minimum 6–9 m clearance radius from buildings, underground services, and other canopy trees\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePet Friendly:\u003c\/strong\u003e Caution — seed pods and seeds of Koelreuteria species contain compounds that can cause gastrointestinal distress in dogs and cats if ingested; keep pets away from fallen pods during autumn and seek veterinary advice if ingestion is suspected\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhere It Works Best\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSunlight:\u003c\/strong\u003e Full sun strongly preferred for best flowering and pod colour intensity; tolerates part shade but with a noticeably reduced flower and autumn display\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSoil:\u003c\/strong\u003e Highly adaptable — performs well in clay, loam, and sandy soils; good drainage is beneficial but it tolerates seasonal moisture; broad pH tolerance from mildly acidic to alkaline Adelaide soils\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWater Needs:\u003c\/strong\u003e Establishment (first 2 years): deep watering every 5–7 days in summer, every 10–14 days in cooler months. Established: very low — 1–2 deep soaks per fortnight in summer; relies largely on winter rainfall once mature\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMaintenance:\u003c\/strong\u003e Very low; light structural pruning in the first 3–5 years to develop a clear trunk and balanced canopy framework; remove any crossing or rubbing branches in late winter while fully dormant\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eLifespan:\u003c\/strong\u003e 40–80+ years\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eClimate Zones:\u003c\/strong\u003e Suited to all South Australian temperate and Mediterranean climates — Adelaide metropolitan area, Adelaide Hills, Fleurieu Peninsula, Barossa Valley, Clare Valley, Riverland, and Mt Gambier; frost hardiness makes it an excellent choice for colder SA sites including the Hills and the South-East\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSoil pH:\u003c\/strong\u003e Acidic to alkaline (pH 5.5–8.0); handles the mildly alkaline conditions common across Adelaide's plains\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLandscape \u0026amp; Design Ideas\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePlant as a statement specimen in a large lawn, open courtyard, or commercial car park island where the full drama of the autumn lantern pod display can be appreciated at close range\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eUse in avenue plantings along driveways or street verges spaced 6–8 m apart for a seasonal corridor of summer-gold flowers followed by a canopy of pink-salmon autumn lanterns\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePair with dark-foliaged evergreens such as Prunus cerasifera 'Nigra' or Photinia x fraseri 'Red Robin' as a backdrop to make the golden flowers and pink pods contrast dramatically through summer and autumn\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhy You Will Love It\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFew deciduous trees deliver the Chinese Flame Tree's combination of four-season drama and genuine low-maintenance toughness. From its lacy, tropical-textured canopy and cascading summer gold flower panicles, to the unforgettable autumn spectacle of pink-salmon papery lanterns glowing in Adelaide's afternoon light, this is a tree that earns admiring comments from neighbours every single year — with barely a drop of extra water or a pruning cut required.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Adelaide Plant Co","offers":[{"title":"300mm Pot","offer_id":68039637696764,"sku":"KOEL-BIPI-300MM-SO","price":110.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true},{"title":"400mm Pot","offer_id":68039637729532,"sku":"KOEL-BIPI-400MM-SO","price":199.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true},{"title":"100L Grow Bag","offer_id":68039637762300,"sku":"KOEL-BIPI-100L-SO","price":527.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0750\/9282\/0220\/files\/koelreuteria-bipinnata-chinese-flame-tree-400mm-pot-adelaide-plant-co.jpg?v=1794291818","url":"https:\/\/adelaideplantco.com.au\/products\/koelreuteria-bipinnata","provider":"Adelaide Plant Co","version":"1.0","type":"link"}