Hong Kong Orchid trees (B. X blakeana) have fragrant flowers of evocative of showy orchids. If you are interested in planting an orchid tree, I recommend planting a Hong Kong Orchid Tree. Unlike many of the other orchid trees, this variety is sterile and will not produce invasive seeds. The Hong Kong Orchid Tree originates back to the 1880s from a tree that was cultivated at the Hong Kong Botanic Gardens.
Orchid trees are native to northern India, Vietnam and southeastern China. A stylized orchid tree appears on the Hong Kong flag. Stateside in the U.S. you will find these exotic trees grown in Hawaii, Florida, Louisiana, Texas and California. In our travels end of February around Tampa Bay, we have seen many orchid trees in blossom. The one featured to the right is from a tree in Tarpon Springs.
Hong Kong Orchid trees bloom in late winter while the tree is bare of leaves and lasts until early summer. The flowers feature five overlapping petals, combined to make arrestingly beautiful pink blossoms in tones of magenta, lavender or purplish blue.
Orchid Trees are part of the Bauhinia genus with more than 200 species. They are evergreen, possessing large thick leaves, double-lobed in the shape of a heart, or a butterfly. People from Hong Kong call the leaf “a clever leaf”. Students use the leaves to make bookmarks to bring them good luck in their studies.
The Hong Kong Flag features a stylized Orchid Tree flower
A young tree can be slow to start, with an awkward grow habit. The mature tree has a short trunk, dense canopy, and brittle branches. A pleasing canopy can be developed through proper pruning, taking care to remove crossing branches and suckers. A tree pruned as late as August will still produce abundant flowers on schedule in November.
I love these trees! I saw a huge (20 ft tall) one today – covered in delicate purple flowers. The tree is bare in winter – then explodes in blooms. The tree begins to leaf out – as the blooms fade.