Purple Orchid Tree, Orchid Tree, Ebony Wood, Mountain Ebony, Camel's Foot Tree, Kuchnar, Bauhinia purpurea, Bauhinia chinensis
Prized for its orchid-like flowers, Bauhinia variegata (Orchid Tree) is a small semi-evergreen to deciduous shrub or tree with a spreading canopy of light green leaves, 6-8 in. long (15-20 cm), deeply cleft at the apex and base, and resembling butterfly wings. Blooming profusely from late winter to early spring, ravishing orchid-like, bright pink, purple and white flowers, 2-3 in. across (5-7 cm), shine against the foliage and attract hummingbirds. Showy, they are borne in small clusters near the stem tips and feature five unequal petals, each narrowed to a claw. They are followed by flat, sharp-beaked pods, 12 in. long (30 cm). The foliage may drop in fall or persist into winter. A beautiful specimen shrub for the border or street tree for tropical, sub-tropical, and fairly frost-free areas (tolerates light frosts and temperatures down to 22°F or -6°C).
As a member of the Fabaceae (legume) family, it is related to peas and beans, and striking trees like Flamboyant, Orchid Tree, Silver Wattle, Red Bird of Paradise, Coral Tree, and Paloverde.
Hardiness |
9 - 11 |
---|---|
Climate Zones | 13, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, H1, H2 |
Plant Type | Shrubs, Trees |
Plant Family | Leguminosae |
Common names | Ebony Wood, Orchid Tree, Mountain Ebony |
Exposure | Full Sun, Partial Sun |
Season of Interest | Spring (Early, Mid), Winter |
Height | 20' - 35' (6.1m - 10.7m) |
Spread | 20' - 35' (6.1m - 10.7m) |
Maintenance | Average |
Water Needs | Low, Average |
Soil Type | Loam, Sand |
Soil pH | Acid, Neutral |
Soil Drainage | Moist but Well-Drained |
Characteristics | Fragrant, Showy, Semi-Evergreen |
Tolerance | Drought |
Attracts | Hummingbirds |
Garden Styles | Mediterranean Garden |
Hardiness |
9 - 11 |
---|---|
Climate Zones | 13, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, H1, H2 |
Plant Type | Shrubs, Trees |
Plant Family | Leguminosae |
Common names | Ebony Wood, Orchid Tree, Mountain Ebony |
Exposure | Full Sun, Partial Sun |
Season of Interest | Spring (Early, Mid), Winter |
Height | 20' - 35' (6.1m - 10.7m) |
Spread | 20' - 35' (6.1m - 10.7m) |
Maintenance | Average |
Water Needs | Low, Average |
Soil Type | Loam, Sand |
Soil pH | Acid, Neutral |
Soil Drainage | Moist but Well-Drained |
Characteristics | Fragrant, Showy, Semi-Evergreen |
Tolerance | Drought |
Attracts | Hummingbirds |
Garden Styles | Mediterranean Garden |
How many Bauhinia variegata (Orchid Tree) do I need for my garden?
Plant | Quantity | |
---|---|---|
Bauhinia variegata (Orchid Tree) | N/A | Buy Plants |
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Create a membership account to save your garden designs and to view them on any device.
Becoming a contributing member of Gardenia is easy and can be done in just a few minutes. If you provide us with your name, email address and the payment of a modest $25 annual membership fee, you will become a full member, enabling you to design and save up to 25 of your garden design ideas.
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