Life Span
Perennial
Perennial
Origin
Mid-Atlantic United States, Southeastern United States, Central United States, South-Central United States
Southeastern Asia
Types
not available
Bauhinia. blakeana, Bauhinia variegata Candida.
Number of Varieties
Not Available
Habitat
bottomlands, Depression on prairies, ditches, Floodplains, Riverbanks, stream banks, Swamps
tropical environments
USDA Hardiness Zone
4-9
10-15
Sunset Zone
1a, 1b, 2a, 2b, 3a, 3b, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24
H1, H2, 13, 19, 21, 23, 24
Habit
Oval or Rounded
Oval or Rounded
Flower Color
Yellow, Brown
Pink, Light Pink, Rose, Burgundy, Lavender, Violet
Flower Color Modifier
Bicolor
Bicolor
Fruit Color
Black
Not Available
Leaf Color in Spring
Green, Light Green
Green, Blue Green
Leaf Color in Summer
Green, Light Green
Green, Blue Green
Leaf Color in Fall
Yellow, Light Yellow, Tan
Green, Blue Green
Leaf Color in Winter
Not Available
Green, Blue Green, Yellow green
Leaf Shape
Oval with a pointed tip and fine teeth along their edges
Orbiculate
Plant Season
Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter
Spring, Fall, Winter
Sunlight
Full Sun, Partial Sun
Full Sun, Partial Sun
Type of Soil
Clay, Loam, Sand
Loam, Sand
The pH of Soil
Acidic, Neutral
Acidic, Neutral
Soil Drainage
Average
Well drained
Bloom Time
Spring
Late Fall, Early Winter, Winter, Late Winter
Tolerances
Wet Site, Pollution, Soil Compaction
Drought, Salt, Variety of soil types
Where to Plant?
Ground
Ground
How to Plant?
Seedlings
Grafting, Layering, Stem Cutting
Plant Maintenance
Low
Medium
Watering Requirements
Requires a lot of watering, Requires regular watering
Requires regular watering, Water more in summer
In Summer
Lots of watering
Lots of watering
In Spring
Moderate
Moderate
In Winter
Average Water
Average Water
Soil pH
Acidic, Neutral
Acidic, Neutral
Soil Type
Clay, Loam, Sand
Loam, Sand
Soil Drainage Capacity
Average
Well drained
Sun Exposure
Full Sun, Partial Sun
Full Sun, Partial shade, Partial Sun
Pruning
Prune in the late winter or spring, Remove dead or diseased plant parts, Shape and thin as needed
Cut or pinch the stems, Prune ocassionally, Remove damaged leaves, Remove dead branches, Remove dead leaves
Fertilizers
All-Purpose Liquid Fertilizer, No need to fertilize every year
Less fertilizing
Pests and Diseases
Aphids, Red blotch, Sawfly Larvae
Bacterial leaf scorch, Borers, Caterpillars, Leaf spot, Mites
Plant Tolerance
Pollution, Soil Compaction, Wet Site
Drought, Salt, Variety of soil types
Flower Petal Number
Not Available
Single
Foliage Texture
Medium
Medium
Foliage Sheen
Matte
Matte
Attracts
Not Available
Bees, Birds
Allergy
Asthma
Not Available
Aesthetic Uses
Showy Purposes
Beautification, Bouquets, Cottage Garden, Showy Purposes
Beauty Benefits
Not Available
Not Available
Environmental Uses
Erosion control, Wildlife
Air purification
Medicinal Uses
Not Available
Not Available
Part of Plant Used
Whole plant
Flowers, Leaves, Seeds
Other Uses
used for making roof trusses, poles, joists, piles, Used in construction, Used in Furniture
Food for insects, Used As Food
Used As Indoor Plant
No
No
Used As Outdoor Plant
Yes
Yes
Garden Design
Feature Plant, Shade Trees
Container, Feature Plant, Hedges, Mixed Border, Screening / Wind Break, Shade Trees, Street Trees, Tropical
Botanical Name
BETULA nigra
BAUHINIA blakeana
Common Name
River Birch
Blake's Butterfly Tree, Chinese Orchid Tree, Hong Kong Orchid Tree
In Hindi
River Birch
हांगकांग आर्किड पेड़
In German
Fluss Birch
Hong Kong Orchidee Baum
In French
Birch river
Hong Kong arbre d'orchidée
In Spanish
river Birch
árbol de orquídea Hong Kong
In Greek
ποταμός Birch
δέντρο ορχιδέα Χονγκ Κονγκ
In Portuguese
river Birch
árvore de orquídea de Hong Kong
In Polish
Rzeka Birch
storczyk drzewo Hong Kong
In Latin
Betula
Hong Kong Orchid ligno
Phylum
Magnoliophyta
Angiosperms
Class
Magnoliopsida
Magnoliopsida
Family
Betulaceae
Fabaceae
Clade
Angiosperms, Eudicots, Rosids
Angiosperms, Eudicots, Rosids
Tribe
Not Available
Not Available
Subfamily
Not Available
Caesalpinioideae
Number of Species
Not Available