Koelreuteria bipinnata
From summer through late fall, the Chinese Lantern Tree provides a spectacular display of color. It begins with spikes of brilliant yellow flowers – and continues as the flowers transform into luminous seed pods that resemble tiny Chinese paper lanterns.
It is no wonder that this decorative ornamental has been planted in Santa Barbara for more than a century and is still quite popular. It was first introduced here (and the United States) in 1911 by one of our pioneering horticulturists, Dr. Francesco Franceschi.
This exceptional tree is particularly suitable for our community, due to its small to medium size and its low-maintenance requirements. Fast growing when young, it forms a broad spreading crown with an ultimate height and spread of 25 to 50 feet. One of its many desirable features: it retains a rather full and symmetrical crown – with little or no pruning…