February 2026 Tree of the Month: Hong Kong Orchid Tree

Bauhinia blakeana

When people first experience a Hong Kong Orchid Tree up close, they find it hard to believe any tree could be covered with so many lovely orchid-like flowers that fill the air with such a wonder fragrance!

The vibrantly magenta-colored flowers, up to 6 inches across, are usually seen in Santa Barbara from November through May – but can bloom here sporadically throughout the year.  They are considered by many to be the most beautiful tree flowers in the world.

Though beautiful, all its flowers are, in fact, sterile – they will not develop seeds.  Interestingly, all Hong Kong Orchid Trees in cultivation are descendants of just one tree found in China!  Each of this tree’s progeny is its clone – grown by horticulturists using careful propagation techniques – grafting, cuttings, or air layering.

Hong Kong Orchid Tree began as a single naturally-occurring hybrid – a fortunate cross between Bauhinia purpurea and Bauhinia variegata – which was discovered in Hong Kong in 1889 by a French missionary who then propagated it.  Cuttings from these mission trees were provided to the Hong Kong Botanical Gardens in 1908.  They are now grown in areas around the world that have frost-free climates.

Being small- to medium-sized trees, Hong Kong Orchid Trees can grow to a maximum of 20 feet (with an equal spread) but are usually a good deal smaller.  Careful pruning will create and maintain a full and symmetrical canopy. 

The light-green leaves are quite distinctive, being double-lobed – creating an appearance remarkably like the folded wings of butterflies!  Because this tree is semi-deciduous, many of its leaves will drop after the blooms fade – so, don’t worry if your tree looks a bit puny at times – it will soon leaf out again.  It typically looks fairly full in the winter – when other semi-deciduous trees look rather bare.   

Interestingly, Hong Kong Orchid Trees are not related to orchids at all.  They are actually legumes, which are found in the Fabaceae plant family – and are related to common peas and beans. 

The botanical name of the Hong Kong Orchid Tree is Bauhinia blakeana.  The genus name, Bauhinia, honors two 16th century Swiss scientists, Johann and Gaspar Bauhin (who were identical twins), in reference to the bi-lobed leaves that are unique to all plants in the Bauhinia genus.  The specific epithet name, blakeana, honors Sir Henry Blake, the Governor of Hong Kong from 1898 to 1903.

Hong Kong Orchid Tree looks best when planted in a spot with full sun and a well-drained loam soil.  Once established, it is surprisingly drought tolerant.  Of course, it will benefit from regular irrigation and additional watering during long dry spells.  It prefers a frost-free location – but can survive brief periods down to 25 degrees F.  As a bonus, it has no serious insect or disease problems.  It is an excellent accent or specimen tree for gardens or small spaces or for use as a street tree. 

In Santa Barbara, three species of Bauhinia trees have been planted and appreciated for decades:  the Hong Kong Orchid Tree (Bauhinia blakeana);  the Lavender Orchid Tree (Bauhinia variegata);  and, the Brazilian Orchid Tree (Bauhinia forficata). 

Each of these species are from foreign climes: Hong Kong Orchid Trees are native to China; Lavender Orchid Trees are native to Southeast Asia; and, Brazilian Orchid Trees are native to Brazil, Argentina, and Peru.  All of them do well in our Mediterranean climate.

Hong Kong Orchid Trees, together with Lavender Orchid Trees, are street trees in the 700 and 800 blocks of Olive Street, the 100 and 200 blocks of West Islay Street, and the 400 block of East De La Guerra Street.  Hong Kong Orchid Trees are also street trees in the 800 block of Spring Street and the100 and 200 blocks of East Padre Street.  Notable specimens are in the 1500 block of Alameda Padre Serra, at the southeast corner of the County Courthouse (Santa Barbara Street at Figuroa Street), and at the southwest and southeast corners of De La Guerra Street and Olive Street.  Brazilian Orchid Trees are street trees in the 600 and 700 blocks of State Street; they will have white flowers in late summer.

All three species have been planted in Alice Keck Park Memorial Garden.  Enjoy them all in one place!

Tree-of-the-Month articles are sponsored by Santa Barbara Beautiful, whose many missions include the increase of public awareness and appreciation of Santa Barbara’s many outstanding trees and, in a long-time partnership with the City Parks & Recreation Department, the funding and planting of trees along the City’s streets.

Those who wish to honor a special someone can do so with an attractive commemorative marker that will be installed at the base of an existing street tree in the City of Santa Barbara.  Because Santa Barbara Beautiful has participated in the planting to date of over 14,000 street trees, there are plenty of trees from which to choose!  Application forms are available on the Santa Barbara Beautiful website, www.sbbeautiful.org.  This website also contains an archive of all previously published Tree-of-the-Month articles, including photos.

Article and Photos by David Gress