In September and October, when tree leaves are starting to give a hint of the fall color to come, Koelreuteria bipinnata is putting on a show with its peachy-pink seed pods. This is one of times that it pays to know the binomial (Latin) name of a plant rather than relying on common names. K. bipinnata is commonly called Chinese Flame tree, Golden Flame tree, or Chinese Lantern tree. Its cousin, Koelreuteria paniculata, is commonly called Goldenrain tree. And an unrelated tree, Laburnum, is called Goldenchain tree. To complicate identification further, all three have loose clusters of yellow flowers.

The drooping flower clusters of Koelreuteria bipinnata (kole-roo-TEER-ee-uh bye-pih-NAY-tuh) mature into papery seed pods that look like little (one inch) rosy Chinese lanterns, gaining admiration from observers. It is a small to medium tree, reaching heights up to 40 feet. It thrives in full sun and almost any type of soil as long as it is well drained. The lanterns will retain their warm hue if harvested as soon as they color up. Left on the tree, they age into a buff color before they shed. Each capsule contains viable seeds. Many of those will germinate into baby trees, resulting in the need for removal by the gardener. If you wish to avoid this annual chore, site the tree in a lawn situation where regular mowing will result in seedling decapitation. K. paniculata has similar lantern seed capsules but they are less colorful.

Koelreuterias grow in zones 7-9, ignoring heat, cold, humidity, and poor soil. Laburnum also has lovely yellow flowers that hang in clusters. Branches are an attractive olive green. The young branches of Laburnum are flexible, and can be trained to an arch form. When a row of these join to form a living tunnel, it is gorgeous when they are in bloom. Laburnums do not do well in summer heat, however, and tend to be short-lived in the southeast. Both Koelreuteria and Laburnum are resistant to deer damage.