Feathery compound foliage of bipinnate golden raintree is accentuated by airy clusters of yellow flowers in summer, and papery, pinkish tan seed pods soon thereafter. A rounded deciduous tree with an irregular branching habit with cracking grey bark, it hails from south western China.

Emerging leaflets are light green with a coppery cast. In late summer thin, wispy-stemmed clusters of yellow flowers arise from branch tips creating a lovely display above the dark green foliage. The individual flowers are small, four-petaled, and have a tiny orange speck at the petal bases. The pods that quickly form after being pollinated by bees are papery, three-chambered pods that are often called "Chinese lanterns", dangling from the branches. They are rosy-pink when young,  drying to be more a pale rosy-tan. A tree filled with the pods is perhaps as pretty as when in flower. The seeds readily germinate around the base of the tree. In autumn the foliage can turn a quickly turn an inconsistent yellow before dropping.

Bipinnate golden raintree is tolerant of many conditions and are great urban trees tolerant of pollution, heat, salt and drought. It excels in well-drained soil and full sun but will grow in partial shade. It has an open, rangy, leaning habit and brittle wood which breaks during windstorms or from heavy snow or ice. Prune while young to establish good branch structure and a tidy shape. It is great in providing broken shade to patios, as a street tree or in small gardens and landscapes.

Pre-soak seed for 24 hours in hot water. If they swell up then sow in a cold frame, if not then soak for a further 24 hours in hot water prior to sowing.  To “scarify” the seed take a sharp knife, file or sandpaper and cut or file the hard seed coat away. Do it gently, until you see the white inner of the seed. This will allow water to penetrate the seed itself. Take care not to damage the seed embryo. The seed need to go through the cold of winter to germinate. If sowing in the autumn or winter, sow into 7.5cm (3in) pots, cover the seeds with 5mm (¼”) of soil and a sprinkling of fine grit and place them in a sheltered position in the garden. The compost should be kept moist but not wet at all times.  Some seeds will germinate in 3-4 weeks; others may germinate over an extended period. Keep an eye on them, they grow quite fast and will need potting on sooner than you think. If you are sowing at any other time of year, you can imitate the seasons by “cold stratification”. Place the seeds in a small plastic bag or container (film cartridges are good) fill with slightly moist sterilized peat moss or vermiculite and spray with a fungicidal product to help prevent mildew. Place the bag or container in the refrigerator (not freezer) for 12 weeks. Check seeds periodically, if they are germinating, sow immediately as above.

Grow on in pots until they are strong enough to plant into their permanent positions. Planting out should be done in late spring. After the last expected frosts, as although hardy, they are susceptible to frosts when young..

Additional rare and unusual seed varieties are constantly being added. To check out our shop CLICK HERE to see some of our other seeds.