Hong Kong orchid tree
Bauhinia × blakeana · also called Red-flowered bauhinia
The Hong Kong orchid tree is a small evergreen tree grown for its large, perfumed, orchid-like flowers in rich magenta-purple. Thought to be a chance hybrid of two bauhinias, it is sterile, and it is the floral emblem of Hong Kong. Because it rarely sets seed pods, it avoids the untidy pods and stray seedlings of other bauhinias. It grows to about 7 to 9 metres, so it suits smaller gardens in warm climates such as Brisbane's.
- Exotic
- 7 to 9 m tall
- Flowers February to November
Hong Kong orchid tree at a glance
- Height
- 7 to 9 m
- Spread
- 4.5 m
- Leaves
- Evergreen
- Flowers
- Purple, pink, February to November
- Origin
- A chance hybrid first found in Hong Kong
- Family
- Fabaceae
How to identify a Hong Kong orchid tree
The leaves give it away: broad, shiny and dark green, split at the tip into two rounded lobes like a cloven hoof, with prominent yellowish-green veins. The flowers are large, perfumed and orchid-like, deep magenta-purple marked with lighter veins; the top petal shades darker near its base. Each flower has five stamens that stand out above the stigma. Flowering runs from about February to November and peaks in September and October. Unlike most bauhinias, it rarely carries long, flat seed pods, because it is sterile.
Growing a Hong Kong orchid tree in Brisbane
Hong Kong orchid tree suits Brisbane's warm climate: Burke's Backyard names northern New South Wales, Queensland and the tropics as its best climate. It likes full sun and fertile, well-drained soil, and needs shelter from frost and cold winds. Once established it tolerates hot, exposed spots and dry soils. At about 7 to 9 metres tall and 4.5 metres wide it fits a typical suburban garden, and it is also used in parks and streets. It is deep-rooted and dislikes being moved, so choose its spot carefully.
What to watch out for
The Hong Kong orchid tree has few drawbacks. It isn't on Brisbane City Council's weed list or Queensland's restricted list, and because it is sterile it rarely sets seed, unlike its likely parent Bauhinia variegata, which has formed weedy thickets in Brisbane. It dislikes frost and cold winds, so young trees are best planted in a warm, sheltered spot.
Pruning and care
This tree needs little pruning. If you want to shape it or keep it compact, prune lightly once flowering finishes. Give it full sun, fertile, well-drained soil and shelter from cold winds, and water young trees until they are established. Because it is deep-rooted and resents transplanting, plant it where it can stay. You can also cut the flowers for a vase indoors. Branches over roofs, or any large tree work, are best left to a qualified arborist.
Does the Hong Kong orchid tree have seed pods?
When does the Hong Kong orchid tree flower?
How big does a Hong Kong orchid tree grow?
Is the Hong Kong orchid tree a weed?
Sources and credits
- Hong Kong Orchid Tree Gardening Australia (ABC)
- Bauhinia (fact sheet) Burke's Backyard
- Bauhinia variegata fact sheet (includes Hong Kong orchid tree) Environmental Weeds of Australia (Lucid key, Identic Pty Ltd)
Photo: Agnieszka Kwiecień, Nova, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
Second photo: Agnieszka Kwiecień, Nova, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
Checked October 2026. Weed listings and council rules change: check the council's and the Queensland Government's pages before you act.
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