Life Span
Perennial
  
Perennial
  
Type
Flowering Plants, Shrub
  
Tree
  
Origin
Corsica, Sardinia
  
Hybrid origin, Southeastern Asia
  
Types
Not Available
  
Bauhinia. blakeana, Bauhinia variegata Candida.
  
Habitat
Mediterranean region
  
tropical environments
  
USDA Hardiness Zone
Not Available
  
10-15
  
AHS Heat Zone
Not Available
  
12-10
  
Sunset Zone
Not Availble
  
H1, H2, 13, 19, 21, 23, 24
  
Habit
Bushy, Evergreen
  
Oval or Rounded
  
Plant Size
  
  
Plant Color
  
  
Flower Color
White
  
Pink, Light Pink, Rose, Burgundy, Lavender, Violet
  
Flower Color Modifier
Bicolor
  
Bicolor
  
Fruit Color
Black, Blue
  
Not Available
  
Leaf Color in Spring
Green, Dark Green
  
Green, Blue Green
  
Leaf Color in Summer
Dark Green
  
Green, Blue Green
  
Leaf Color in Fall
Green, Dark Green
  
Green, Blue Green
  
Leaf Color in Winter
Green
  
Green, Blue Green, Yellow green
  
Shape
  
  
Leaf Shape
Ovate
  
Orbiculate
  
Thorns
No
  
No
  
Plant Season
Summer
  
Spring, Fall, Winter
  
Growing Conditions
  
  
Sunlight
Full Sun
  
Full Sun, Partial Sun
  
Growth Rate
Fast
  
Fast
  
Type of Soil
Clay, Loam, Sand
  
Loam, Sand
  
The pH of Soil
Acidic, Neutral
  
Acidic, Neutral
  
Soil Drainage
Moist but well drained
  
Well drained
  
Bloom Time
Late Summer, Summer
  
Late Fall, Early Winter, Winter, Late Winter
  
Repeat Bloomer
Yes
  
Yes
  
Tolerances
Moisture
  
Drought, Salt, Variety of soil types
  
Where to Plant?
Container, Pot
  
Ground
  
How to Plant?
Seedlings, Semi-hardwood cuttings
  
Grafting, Layering, Stem Cutting
  
Plant Maintenance
Medium
  
Medium
  
Watering Plants
  
  
Watering Requirements
Needs less watering
  
Requires regular watering, Water more in summer
  
In Summer
Ample Water
  
Lots of watering
  
In Spring
Average Water
  
Moderate
  
In Winter
Less Watering
  
Average Water
  
Soil
  
  
Soil pH
Acidic, Neutral
  
Acidic, Neutral
  
Soil Type
Clay, Loam, Sand
  
Loam, Sand
  
Soil Drainage Capacity
Moist, Well drained
  
Well drained
  
Sun Exposure
Full Sun
  
Full Sun, Partial shade, Partial Sun
  
Pruning
Prune after flowering, Prune for shortening long shoots, Remove dead or diseased plant parts
  
Cut or pinch the stems, Prune ocassionally, Remove damaged leaves, Remove dead branches, Remove dead leaves
  
Fertilizers
Any balanced general purpose fertilizer
  
Less fertilizing
  
Pests and Diseases
Healthy tree
  
Bacterial leaf scorch, Borers, Caterpillars, Leaf spot, Mites
  
Plant Tolerance
Moisture
  
Drought, Salt, Variety of soil types
  
Flowers
Yes
  
Showy
  
Flower Petal Number
Not Available
  
Single
  
Fruits
  
  
Showy Fruit
No
  
No
  
Edible Fruit
Yes
  
No
  
Fragrance
  
  
Fragrant Flower
Yes
  
No
  
Fragrant Fruit
No
  
No
  
Fragrant Leaf
No
  
No
  
Fragrant Bark/Stem
Yes
  
No
  
Showy Foliage
Yes
  
No
  
Showy Bark
No
  
No
  
Foliage Texture
Fine
  
Medium
  
Foliage Sheen
Glossy
  
Matte
  
Evergreen
Yes
  
No
  
Invasive
No
  
No
  
Self-Sowing
No
  
No
  
Attracts
Butterflies
  
Bees, Birds
  
Allergy
Not Available
  
Not Available
  
Uses
  
  
Aesthetic Uses
Showy Purposes
  
Beautification, Bouquets, Cottage Garden, Showy Purposes
  
Beauty Benefits
Acne, Good for skin
  
Not Available
  
Edible Uses
No
  
Yes
  
Environmental Uses
Air purification, Food for birds
  
Air purification
  
Plant Benefits
  
  
Medicinal Uses
Antibacterial, anti-cancer, Antidiabetic, Heart problems, Kidney problems, Respiratory Disorders, Thyroid problems
  
No Medicinal Use
  
Part of Plant Used
Flowers, Leaves
  
Flowers, Leaves, Seeds
  
Other Uses
Used as essential oil, Used in herbal medicines
  
Food for insects, Used As Food
  
Used As Indoor Plant
No
  
No
  
Used As Outdoor Plant
Yes
  
Yes
  
Garden Design
Container, Edible, Fruit / Fruit Tree, Shade Trees, Tropical
  
Container, Feature Plant, Hedges, Mixed Border, Screening / Wind Break, Shade Trees, Street Trees, Tropical
  
Botanical Name
Myrtus communis
  
BAUHINIA blakeana
  
Common Name
Common Myrtle
  
Blake's Butterfly Tree, Chinese Orchid Tree, Hong Kong Orchid Tree
  
In Hindi
Common myrtle
  
हांगकांग आर्किड पेड़
  
In German
Myrte
  
Hong Kong Orchidee Baum
  
In French
Myrtus communis
  
Hong Kong arbre d'orchidée
  
In Spanish
Myrtus communis
  
árbol de orquídea Hong Kong
  
In Greek
κοινή μυρτιά
  
δέντρο ορχιδέα Χονγκ Κονγκ
  
In Portuguese
murta comum
  
árvore de orquídea de Hong Kong
  
In Polish
Mirt zwyczajny
  
storczyk drzewo Hong Kong
  
In Latin
myrto Common
  
Hong Kong Orchid ligno
  
Kingdom
Plantae
  
Plantae
  
Phylum
Magnoliophyta
  
Angiosperms
  
Class
Magnoliopsida
  
Magnoliopsida
  
Order
Myrtales
  
Fabales
  
Family
Myrtaceae
  
Fabaceae
  
Genus
Myrtus
  
Bauhinia
  
Clade
Angiosperms, Eudicots, Rosids
  
Angiosperms, Eudicots, Rosids
  
Tribe
Not Available
  
Not Available
  
Subfamily
Not Available
  
Caesalpinioideae