Exotic Organic Farm
Coimbatore, India
Large, fragrant, orchid-like purple-pink flowers borne from autumn to spring on a graceful, umbrella-shaped tree. A rare sterile hybrid and the floral emblem of Hong Kong.
Exotic flowering treeA showpiece tree for avenues, farmhouses and large gardens.
Sold by a Coimbatore farmExotic Organic Farm, Kuppanur, Coimbatore.
Suited to Indian climateCare notes written for Indian heat, monsoon and soil.
Live sapling, WhatsApp supportAsk us anything before and after you order.
The Hong Kong orchid tree, Bauhinia × blakeana, is a chance hybrid of two Bauhinias, Bauhinia purpurea and Bauhinia variegata. It was discovered near Pokfulam in Hong Kong in the late 19th century and is known only from cultivation, not from the wild. Its large, fragrant, orchid-like flowers are the official floral emblem of Hong Kong and appear on its flag and coins, and the tree is named for Sir Henry Blake, a governor of Hong Kong.
The flowers are up to about 15 cm across, in rich purple-pink, set against butterfly-wing shaped, two-lobed leaves. The tree is sterile and never sets seed or pods, so every tree is propagated vegetatively, by grafting, cuttings or air-layering. It is semi-evergreen, with a brief leaf drop around flowering, and grows into a spreading tree of roughly 6–10 m, which suits avenues, farmhouses, resorts and large gardens.
| Botanical name | Bauhinia × blakeana (also written Bauhinia blakeana) |
| Common names | Hong Kong orchid tree, Hong Kong bauhinia, Blake's bauhinia, butterfly tree |
| Family | Fabaceae (pea family) |
| Origin | Chance hybrid discovered in Hong Kong; known only from cultivation |
| Plant type | Semi-evergreen flowering tree |
| Mature height | Typically 6–10 m, with a spreading crown |
| Flowering in India | Autumn to spring, roughly October to March, in flushes |
| Flower | Large (up to about 15 cm), fragrant, purple-pink, orchid-like |
| Propagation | Sterile: grafting, cuttings or air-layering only (no seeds) |
| Light | Full sun, 6 hours or more |
| Water | Regular while young; drought tolerant once established |
| Difficulty | Easy |
Written for India's heat, monsoon and soil. These are general guidelines; adjust to your city, soil and season, and message us if you want advice for your location.
Plant it in an open, sunny spot with at least 6 hours of direct sun. In shade it grows leggy and flowers poorly.
Water deeply once or twice a week in the first year, and more in peak summer. Established trees need little beyond the monsoon.
Plant in well-drained soil and avoid spots where water stands for days. Mix compost into the pit at planting.
Add compost or farmyard manure each year before the monsoon. A light balanced feed in the early years speeds growth.
Prune young trees at regular intervals to build an even crown. As the tree ages, limbs can droop and may need trimming for clearance. Avoid heavy pruning just before flowering.
Dig a pit about 60 cm each way, plant at the start of the monsoon, stake the young tree and keep it 5–6 m from walls, drains and overhead wires.
In India the Hong Kong orchid tree usually flowers from autumn to spring, roughly October to March in most places, in several flushes rather than one short burst. In Hong Kong it has one of the longest flowering seasons of any Bauhinia. A short leaf drop around the start of flowering is normal. Young trees generally need a few years to establish before they flower heavily, and full sun and light pruning give the best display.
Hong Kong Orchid Tree · view 1
Hong Kong Orchid Tree · view 2
Hong Kong Orchid Tree · view 3Usually from autumn to spring, roughly October to March in most places, in several flushes. Timing varies with region and weather.
No. It is a hybrid between Bauhinia purpurea and Bauhinia variegata. Its flowers look similar to the purple Bauhinia's, but it flowers for longer and is sterile.
No. It is a sterile hybrid, so it never sets seed pods. That is also why every tree is propagated by grafting, cuttings or air-layering.
Typically 6–10 m tall with a spreading, umbrella-like crown. Keep it 5–6 m away from buildings, drains and overhead wires.
Full sun, at least 6 hours a day. In shade it flowers poorly and grows leggy.
It is semi-evergreen, so it usually drops some leaves briefly around the start of flowering and then flushes new ones.
The Hong Kong orchid tree sapling is priced at Rs 3,500 per live plant at Exotic Organic Farm. Message us on WhatsApp to confirm current availability and sapling size.
Live saplings are packed carefully and shipped from our Coimbatore farm. Message us your pin code on WhatsApp and we will confirm the sapling size, packing and delivery time for your location.
Looking for the Hong Kong orchid tree price in India, where to buy Bauhinia blakeana online, or Hong Kong orchid tree care tips? This page covers all three. The Hong Kong orchid tree is one of the exotic ornamental flowering trees for sale in India at exoticfarm.in, from Exotic Organic Farm in Coimbatore, with delivery to Chennai, Bengaluru, Kerala and the rest of India (message us to confirm for your pin code).
₹2,500 · Flowering tree
₹2,200 · Flowering tree
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