The Golden Rain
Tree is a small, deciduous tree with feathery leaves and large clusters of
bright yellow flowers that appear on the tree in the summer. It flowers during
a part of the season that is well after most trees have already bloomed. It is
a hardy, durable flowering tree that is widely grown in temperate regions in
both cities and suburbs because it is tolerant of urban conditions. The
clusters of seed pods are also very ornamental features in the summer and
autumn. It is a small, open-branching, irregularly-shaped tree with a rounded
crown which typically grows 30-40′ tall and as wide. Features pinnate or
bipinnate, feathery, compound leaves (to 18″ long), each leaf having 7-17
irregularly lobed leaflets. Leaves emerge pinkish bronze to purplish in spring,
mature to a bright green in summer and turn yellow (quality variable) in fall.
Bright yellow flowers (1/2″ wide) appear in early summer in long,
terminal, panicles (12-15″). Falling blossoms may or may not resemble
“golden rain”, but the fallen blossoms often form an attractive
golden carpet under the tree. Flowers give way to interesting, brown, papery
seed capsules which somewhat resemble Chinese lanterns.
Easily grown in average, dry to medium, well-drained soil in full sun. Adapts
to a wide range of soils. Tolerates drought and many city air pollutants. Garden
Uses. Small shade tree, street tree, lawns or terraces. Hardy in zones 5-9.
Growing
Instructions
The seeds have
a period of dormancy. They can be planted outdoors in the fall or winter for
spring germination or they can be cold stratified to simulate winter conditions
and to break their dormancy at any time of the year.
1. Scarify the
seeds by nicking or sanding the seed coat.
2. Soak the
seed in water for 12-24 hours.
3. Place the
seeds in a plastic bag and seal it. Store the bag in a refrigerator for 12
weeks.
4. The seeds
like moist, well-drained soil. Prepare a mixture of half potting soil and half
sand, perlite or vermiculite. Put the soil in a pot. Water the mixture so that
it is moist but not wet.
5. Sow the
seeds on the soil and cover them with a thin layer of soil.
6. Water the container
and leave it to drain.
7. Put the pot
in a warm, sunny area.
8. Water the
pot regularly so that the soil is moist but not wet. The seeds germinate in
30-60 days.
9. The
seedlings can be transplanted when they are a few inches tall.
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