Life Span
Perennial
  
Perennial
  
Type
Shrub
  
Tree
  
Origin
North America, Alaska, Canada
  
Hybrid origin, Southeastern Asia
  
Types
Not Available
  
Bauhinia. blakeana, Bauhinia variegata Candida.
  
Number of Varieties
Not Available
  
Habitat
Dappled Shade, Hedge, Sunny Edge, Woodland Garden
  
tropical environments
  
USDA Hardiness Zone
2-6
  
10-15
  
AHS Heat Zone
6-1
  
12-10
  
Sunset Zone
Not Available
  
H1, H2, 13, 19, 21, 23, 24
  
Habit
Thicket/Colonizing
  
Oval or Rounded
  
Plant Size
  
  
Plant Color
  
  
Flower Color
Yellow
  
Pink, Light Pink, Rose, Burgundy, Lavender, Violet
  
Flower Color Modifier
Not Available
  
Bicolor
  
Fruit Color
Green, Tan
  
Not Available
  
Leaf Color in Spring
Not Available
  
Green, Blue Green
  
Leaf Color in Summer
Not Available
  
Green, Blue Green
  
Leaf Color in Fall
Not Available
  
Green, Blue Green
  
Leaf Color in Winter
Not Available
  
Green, Blue Green, Yellow green
  
Shape
  
  
Leaf Shape
Lanceolate
  
Orbiculate
  
Thorns
No
  
No
  
Plant Season
Spring, Summer, Fall
  
Spring, Fall, Winter
  
Growing Conditions
  
  
Sunlight
Full Sun, Partial Sun
  
Full Sun, Partial Sun
  
Growth Rate
Fast
  
Fast
  
Type of Soil
Loam, Sand
  
Loam, Sand
  
The pH of Soil
Neutral, Alkaline
  
Acidic, Neutral
  
Soil Drainage
Well drained
  
Well drained
  
Bloom Time
Not Available
  
Late Fall, Early Winter, Winter, Late Winter
  
Repeat Bloomer
No
  
Yes
  
Tolerances
Not Available
  
Drought, Salt, Variety of soil types
  
Where to Plant?
Ground, Pot
  
Ground
  
How to Plant?
Hardwood Cuttings, Seedlings
  
Grafting, Layering, Stem Cutting
  
Plant Maintenance
Medium
  
Medium
  
Watering Plants
  
  
Watering Requirements
Average Water Needs, Do Not over Water
  
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
  
  
Soil pH
Neutral, Alkaline
  
Acidic, Neutral
  
Soil Type
Loam, Sand
  
Loam, Sand
  
Soil Drainage Capacity
Well drained
  
Well drained
  
Sun Exposure
Full Sun, Partial Sun
  
Full Sun, Partial shade, Partial Sun
  
Pruning
Remove damaged leaves, Remove dead branches, Remove dead leaves
  
Cut or pinch the stems, Prune ocassionally, Remove damaged leaves, Remove dead branches, Remove dead leaves
  
Fertilizers
Phosphorous, Use nitrogen rich soil
  
Less fertilizing
  
Pests and Diseases
Leaf spot, Rust
  
Bacterial leaf scorch, Borers, Caterpillars, Leaf spot, Mites
  
Plant Tolerance
Drought
  
Drought, Salt, Variety of soil types
  
Flowers
Insignificant
  
Showy
  
Flower Petal Number
Not Available
  
Single
  
Fruits
  
  
Showy Fruit
Yes
  
No
  
Edible Fruit
Yes
  
No
  
Fragrance
  
  
Fragrant Flower
Yes
  
No
  
Fragrant Fruit
Yes
  
No
  
Fragrant Leaf
No
  
No
  
Fragrant Bark/Stem
No
  
No
  
Showy Foliage
Yes
  
No
  
Showy Bark
Yes
  
No
  
Foliage Texture
Not Available
  
Medium
  
Foliage Sheen
Not Available
  
Matte
  
Evergreen
No
  
No
  
Invasive
Sometimes
  
No
  
Self-Sowing
Yes
  
No
  
Attracts
Scale Insects
  
Bees, Birds
  
Allergy
Not Available
  
Not Available
  
Uses
  
  
Aesthetic Uses
Bonsai
  
Beautification, Bouquets, Cottage Garden, Showy Purposes
  
Beauty Benefits
Not Available
  
Not Available
  
Edible Uses
Yes
  
Yes
  
Environmental Uses
Fixes Nitrogen
  
Air purification
  
Plant Benefits
  
  
Medicinal Uses
Cancer, Salve, VD
  
No Medicinal Use
  
Part of Plant Used
Fruits, Seeds
  
Flowers, Leaves, Seeds
  
Other Uses
Jelly, Used for making soaps, Used to flavour soups
  
Food for insects, Used As Food
  
Used As Indoor Plant
Yes
  
No
  
Used As Outdoor Plant
Yes
  
Yes
  
Garden Design
Hedges, Mixed Border, Screening, Wind Break
  
Container, Feature Plant, Hedges, Mixed Border, Screening / Wind Break, Shade Trees, Street Trees, Tropical
  
Botanical Name
ELAEAGNUS commutata
  
BAUHINIA blakeana
  
Common Name
Silverberry, Wolf-Willow
  
Blake's Butterfly Tree, Chinese Orchid Tree, Hong Kong Orchid Tree
  
In Hindi
Silverberry
  
हांगकांग आर्किड पेड़
  
In German
Silverberry
  
Hong Kong Orchidee Baum
  
In French
Silverberry
  
Hong Kong arbre d'orchidée
  
In Spanish
Silverberry
  
árbol de orquídea Hong Kong
  
In Greek
Silverberry
  
δέντρο ορχιδέα Χονγκ Κονγκ
  
In Portuguese
Silverberry
  
árvore de orquídea de Hong Kong
  
In Polish
Silverberry
  
storczyk drzewo Hong Kong
  
In Latin
Silverberry
  
Hong Kong Orchid ligno
  
Kingdom
Plantae
  
Plantae
  
Phylum
Magnoliophyta
  
Angiosperms
  
Class
Magnoliopsida
  
Magnoliopsida
  
Order
Rhamnales
  
Fabales
  
Family
Elaeagnaceae
  
Fabaceae
  
Genus
Elaeagnus
  
Bauhinia
  
Clade
Angiosperms, Eudicots, Rosids
  
Angiosperms, Eudicots, Rosids
  
Tribe
Not Available
  
Not Available
  
Subfamily
Elaeagnoideae
  
Caesalpinioideae