Bauhinia purpurea - Orchid tree

Bauhinia purpurea is best known by its nickname, the orchid tree or butterfly tree, due to its exotic-looking flowers. It is upright, more or less pyramidal to conical, or irregular. Its dark green leaves have a very architectural appearance thanks to a cut at the tip that defines two rounded lobes. Its autumn flowering is majestic when the five-petaled flowers bloom, whose grace rivals that of orchids. Their intense pink colour, enhanced with purple, is particularly luminous against the darker foliage. Tolerating only very brief and mild frosts, outdoor planting can only be considered in the most frost-protected areas.

Bauhinia is a member of the very large Fabaceae family (formerly known as Leguminosae), rich with nearly 23,000 species, so much so that no fewer than three subfamilies were needed to classify them! It includes many food and forage plants (lentils, alfalfa...), wild plants from our countryside, and a wealth of ornamentals, from the magnificent climbing Wisterias to the grand Honey Locust, not forgetting the charming Lupins... The Bauhinia genus boasts nearly 570 cosmopolitan species, thriving in warm temperate to tropical zones of both hemispheres. The Bauhinia purpurea species originates from a subtropical or tropical climate zone, spanning China, India, Burma, Pakistan, and even Sri Lanka. In these regions, it grows into a small tree of 5 m in height in cooler areas, reaching up to 10 m in the Philippines, for example, where it is called "alibangbang," meaning "butterfly" in Tagalog (the national language), referencing the lightness and beauty of its flowers. An upright, often slightly twisted trunk supports a rather irregular, spreading crown. In areas with hot, dry summers, it behaves as deciduous, shedding its foliage to adapt to this stressful period. Under other climates, it remains evergreen and flowers from September to November.

Bauhinia purpurea is reputed to be more tender than its cousin, Bauhinia variegata, which is therefore preferred in less sheltered areas. This Orchid Tree tolerates only brief episodes around 0°C to -2°C. It forms a compact tree of 4 to 5 m in height and slightly less in width, with highly original foliage. The leaf blade is incised at its tip into two rounded lobes, with veins starting from the petiole and fanning out. The overall shape is more or less heart-shaped, but the width is narrower than the length (typically 8 to 15 cm). The leaf is a fairly dark green, forming a backdrop that serves as a perfect setting for the vibrant flowering. Young plants can flower quite quickly, which is an advantage for such an ornamental plant. The large flowers measure around ten centimetres in diameter and are gathered in clusters of just a few units. The corollas consist of five non-overlapping petals, arranged in an arc, much like many orchids—hence its common name. They are a more or less intense pink, with a purplish tendency, the upper petal being a deeper purple, especially at its base. The few stamens and pistil emerge from the centre, also forming an arc, further enhancing the exotic look of the flower. The subtly fragrant flowers develop into long, flat, brown, 15 to 20 cm long pods, with no ornamental value, characteristic of the Fabaceae family. Unlike B. variegata, flowering occurs in autumn rather than spring.

Bauhinia purpurea will integrate beautifully into a tropical-inspired bed, alongside other themed plants. Strelitzia nicolai will be a perfect companion—this tree-like Bird of Paradise, capable of reaching several metres in height, produces strikingly architectural flowers in white and dark blue tones. Banana Trees will naturally fit right in, as will Hedychiums with their tall flower spikes thriving in their shade. A Calliandra surinamensis 'Dixie Pink' will enhance your scene with its very fine compound foliage and pink flower tufts. An exotic climber like Passiflora vitifolia, with its bright red flowers allowed to climb through the vegetation, will add the finishing touch...