Newleaf Garden Center

Hong Kong Orchid Tree

When this tree is in bloom it's a real showstopper.

It's the Hong Kong Orchid Tree and from February to November it's a mass of colour.

Bauhinias grow wild in tropical and subtropical regions of the world and this particular

variety was found in China. Bauhinia x blakeana is thought to be a chance hybrid between

Bauhinia purpurea and B.variegata and it is the official floral emblem of Hong Kong.

Grow Bauhinia in the garden for its flowers alone. From a distance the tree is a mass of colour.

Up close, the flowers, which are quite large, resemble orchids or butterflies and they range in

colour from yellow through pink to deep purple. The flowers are also perfumed. On most Bauhinias

the flowers are followed by long, flat legume like seed pods, which can stay on the plant for

months and look a bit untidy, but the Hong Kong Orchid Tree is sterile, so it doesn't produce seed pods.

Another feature of this tree are the unusual bi-lobed or twin-lobed leaves, which are typical of the genus.

This tree grows to about 9 metres with a spread of 4.5 metres, so it's good for small gardens.

They're deep-rooted plants so they don't like to be transplanted but they will tolerate hot,

exposed positions and dry soils. Protection from frost and cold wind is also important.

This is a truly spectacular small tree and the flowers are also wonderful cut and brought indoors.

With its unusual foliage and attention grabbing flowers, this is a highlight of warm climate gardens.

Another feature of this tree are the unusual bi-lobed or twin-lobed leaves, which are typical of the genus.

This tree grows to about 9 metres with a spread of 4.5 metres, so it's good for small gardens.

They're deep-rooted plants so they don't like to be transplanted but they will tolerate hot,exposed positions and dry soils. Protection from frost and cold wind is also important.

This is a truly spectacular small tree and the flowers are also wonderful cut and brought indoors.

With its unusual foliage and attention grabbing flowers, this is a highlight of warm climate gardens.