Koelreuteria paniculata ‘Coral Sun’

A small deciduous tree growing to around 4-5 metres high and doing this quite sedately. 20 years or so until maturity, and happy in any soil as long as it’s well-drained. This is a spectacular specimen tree at any size and age. For those with bijou plots it won't ever take over or become a menace, and for those with acres to fill then plant a few for colour and contrast. The ‘coral’ is the bright and shining new stem growth in early spring: a properly punchy deep red. These carry deep orangey-red new leaves which unfurl into large ferny multi-leafleted plumes that turn from red to bright green as summer begins. Loose-crowned and full of movement, the texture and silhouette of this puff of impactful foliage is wonderfully exotic and the reason this tree makes such a good focal point. In autumn the leaves reverse, becoming orange again and then finally golden-yellow before they drop. Rich fiery colours and with a proper sparkle at the end of the growing season, for us this will always be the ‘Marmalade Tree’. Sorry. An absolute must for Paddington fans. Yummy.