Bauhinia galpinii – Red Orchid Tree – African Plume

Description FAMILY : Fabaceae ORIGIN : South Africa TYPE/USES : Vine, shrub or small tree MATURE SIZE : Scandent shrub 10′ (wider than taller) GROWTH RATE :Average LIGHT REQUIREMENTS : Full/partial sun WATER REQUIREMENTS : Average MIN. TEMP. : Low 30’s for short periods FLOWER : Warmer months of the year One of the Orchid Tree species with brick red, orchid like flowers and notched leaves shaped like hooves. B. galpinii if let alone grows like scandent shrub forming round mounds but it can be shaped in different ways to your liking. I have seen plants trimmed as small tree with a very oriental look, plants growing over fences, plants on trellises. Trimming should be done when the plants are waking up at the beginning of spring. Quick Facts: -requires little maintenance once established -attracts butterflies -it can lose most of its leaves during the winter