PlantFiles: Orchid Tree, Red Bauhinia, Nasturtium Bauhinia, African Plume, Pride of De Kaap
Bauhinia galpinii

Orchid Tree, Red Bauhinia, Nasturtium Bauhinia, African Plume, Pride of De Kaap Bauhinia galpinii is Naturalized in Texas and other States.

We did not know this plant was here until today. It has very long lateral branches, is about 7 feet tall, and no evident trunk.
Today we were blessed with a big surprise bloom.
A great looking plant.

This species requires space, even if it is to be regularly pruned, and is not suitable for the small garden. It does however come into its own in large gardens and estates where it may also form a good barrier plant along fences and boundaries. Certain butterfly larvae, that will eat the leaves and later pupate into beautifully coloured butterflies, favor this species. The long flexible branches of this tree are often used by the local people (in Africa) for weaving baskets and for the construction of roof trusses for their huts.

The seeds germinate easily and are best sown in spring. Soaking the seeds in warm water overnight will speed up germination.

prolific flowering shrub or vine (can be used to climb on walls, trelaces etc.) with small, bilobed leaves. Flowers fairly simply and a peach-red color.

I started one of these from seed 4 years ago and now it's huge, around 4 feet tall by at least 6-7 feet wide, and it has survived outside unprotected for the last 2 years. Technically it's in a pot, but it rooted through the drainage holes long ago lol.

A great plant as far as I can say, would make a spectacular hedge if only I had more of them and a lot more space:-)

I've had this plant for sometime now. And it's barely gotten over a foot. I'm in the San Francisco Bay Area, zone10 I guess. Has anyone in my area ever been able to grow this successfully? I'm a big fan of the Bauhinia family ever since I saw them in Southern California. Is there something that I'm doing wrong.....

A beautiful, all season plant; generally wider than high. In its homeland South Africa it grows 2.5 to 3 metres tall, and up to 4 metres wide, but generally smaller in the garden.

Easily kept within bounds by pruning (early spring) but better for the larger garden, especially effective on slopes. Has typical Bauhinia "butterfly" leaves, light bright green. From mid-summer through mid-autumn (and often later if weather is mild) it bears a heavy crop of brick-red to orangey orchid-like flowers.

Hardy to at least -7°C, and root-hardy below that (unknown), but invariably is deciduous after any frost. Leaves take awhile to come back in spring. A "must-have" for any mild climate garden; it's too large for pots.