This makes the ornamental tree desirable for garden landscapes because there is no cleanup. Unlike other Bauhinia trees, the hybrid Hong Kong orchid tree doesn’t produce any seed pods. The orchid tree has an irregular crown and matures at 12 to 20 ft. The Hong Kong orchid tree is a flowering shrub-like tree with showy orchid-like flowers, double-lobed butterfly-like leaves, no seed pods, and dark brown bark. Hong Kong orchid tree (Bauhinia blakeana) Hong Kong Orchid Tree ( Bauhinia blakeana ) Then in fall, the tree’s leafless branches are covered in ornamental, showy purple flowers. Flowers are 3” to 5” (7.5 – 13 cm) in diameter.Īn interesting feature of the purple orchid tree is that its flowers appear before the leaves drop. The orchid tree flowers feature white veins, protruding stamens and deliver a delightful fragrance. Each flower has five showy petals with frilly margins, and the ends turn back like a showy orchid flower. Purple orchid tree flowers are showy purple or magenta pink flowers. These 6” to 12” (15 – 30 cm) long pods harden on the tree before popping open to disperse the tiny seeds. Like all varieties of orchid trees, the purple variety has elongated brown seed pods. However, the low-growing, drooping branches may mean that pruning is necessary to walk or drive under the tree. You can prune the orchid tree to create a spectacular specimen tree or lawn tree. They drop green in the fall rather than changing color. Leaves grow alternately on purple orchid trees, measuring 2” to 4” (2.5 – 5 cm) long. In some leaves, the cleft reaches almost to the base, separating the two lobes of these tree leaves. Purple orchid tree leaves are green matte heart-shaped leaves with a deep cleft or lob at the apex. As a type of fast-growing tree, a purple orchid tree matures at 30 to 35 ft. Purple orchid trees have a vase-shaped, symmetrical crown with moderate foliage density. The purple orchid tree is a fast-growing multi-stemmed shrub-like tree with masses of spectacular purple flowers, heart-shaped leaves, and long brown seed pods. Purple orchid tree (Bauhinia purpurea) flowers and leaves Other names for the variegated orchid tree include mountain ebony, purple orchid tree, and ebony wood. The pods eventually crack open with an audible sound. As the pods dry on the tree, they begin to twist, creating an unusual shape. Variegated orchid trees produce long bean-like seed pods that are 6” to 12” (15 – 30 cm) long. As a semi-deciduous tree, leaves drop in the dry season. The leaves are 4” – 7” (10 – 20 cm) long and wide. This feature gives the orchid tree leaves a heart shape, like two round butterfly wings. Variegated orchid tree leaves are rounded leaves with the characteristic deep lobes at the base and apex. Ornamental variegated orchid trees grow 33 to 40 ft. Variegated orchid trees have an irregular crown consisting of broad bi-lobed, heart-shaped leaves. The variegated orchid tree is a shrub-like tree with flamboyant five-petaled vibrantly colored pink, purple, and white flowers. Variegated Orchid Tree (Bauhinia variegata) The minimum temperature to grow orchid trees is 22☏ (-6☌). Although some varieties of orchid trees survive a light frost, they are generally heat-loving trees that thrive in full sun and moist soils. In colder climates, the green leafy foliage may drop from this semi-evergreen shrub-like tree. Orchid trees thrive in the warm regions of USDA in zones 9 to 11.Īfter flowering, the tree develops long, flat brown seed pods, common of many trees in the pea family Fabaceae. The trees are famous for their brightly colored orchid-like flowers that bloom in winter and persist until early summer. Orchid trees are fast-growing large tropical shrubs or trees that reach a height of 20 to 40 ft. Some orchid tree species also grow in the wild in Texas in the Anacacho mountains, where they are known as Anacacho orchid tree or Texas Plume. Orchid trees are native to Asia and commonly grow in India, China, Sri Lanka, and Vietnam. The orchid tree is a genus of flowering shrubs and trees in the genus Bauhinia and the family Fabaceae.
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