Bauhinia yunnanensis
Chinese orchid tree
A semi-evergreen, spreading, scrambling shrub climbing to around 4m high via twining tendrils on slender stems. Mid- to pale green, rounded leaves are coppery when young and have two lobes. Summer flowers to 5cm across are borne in small clusters and orchid-like in appearance with five pale pink petals, the upper three being striped with purple veins
Buy this plant
Size
Ultimate height
2.5–4 metresTime to ultimate height
5–10 yearsUltimate spread
4–8 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Moist but well–drainedpH
Acid, Alkaline, NeutralColour & scent
| Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
| Spring | Green | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | Pink Purple | Green | ||
| Autumn | Green | |||
| Winter | Green |
Position
- Full sun
Aspect
South–facing or West–facing or East–facing
Exposure
Sheltered Hardiness
H3Botanical details
- Family
- Fabaceae
- Native to GB / Ireland
- No
- Foliage
- Semi evergreen
- Habit
- Climbing, Spreading branched
- Genus
A large genus of around 300 species of flowering deciduous or semi-evergreen shrubs or small trees. The green foliage is lobed and shaped like a camel's foot, and the often fragrant, five-petalled flowers appear in late winter to early summer in shades of magenta, mauve, pink, white or crimson-red
- Name status
Correct
- Plant range
- Indochina
How to grow
Cultivation
Grow in a sheltered position in fertile, moist but well-drained soil in full sun
Propagation
Propagate by seed or by layering
Suggested planting locations and garden types
- City and courtyard gardens
- Climber and wall shrubs
- Wall side borders
Pruning
Pests
Generally pest-free
Diseases
Generally disease-free
Get involved
The Royal Horticultural Society is the UK’s leading gardening charity. We aim to enrich everyone’s life through plants, and make the UK a greener and more beautiful place.