Genus Bauhinia (Phanera, Mountain ebony, Orchid tree)

bow-HIN-ee-ah Common Name: Phanera, Mountain ebony, Orchid tree

Bauhinia species are grown for their orchid-like flowers with 5 irregular petals that can be white, pink, orange, red, magenta, or purple-blue. Leaves are alternate, simple, and often 2-lobed.  Some species bear fragrant flowers.
Noteworthy characteristics: From damp to dry forest and grassland in tropical and subtropical regions.
Care: Where not hardy, grow in a warm greenhouse in soil-based potting mix in full light. Reduce water in winter. Elsewhere, grow as a specimen plant or in a border in fertile, moist but well-drained soil in full sun. Water freely during drought.
Propagation: Root semi-ripe cuttings in summer.
Problems: Spider mites, whiteflies, aphids, mealybugs, fungal leaf spots, stem galls, and root rots occur.

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