Mexican Orchid Tree Blooms–Finally!

The Mexican Orchid Tree (Bauhinia mexicana), I planted as a tiny seedling in October 2010 bloomed recently.

Yeah, I think it was worth the wait.

A friend gave me a 4 inch seedling while I was helping with her garden. I knew a little about the plant and that the Mexican Orchid Tree grows well in shade, though it doesn’t get as large, nor blooms as prolifically as in full sun. I dutifully planted the seedling in a dappled shade spot and waited.

The seedling died back during winter. I didn’t expect it to survive because of two very hard freezes and the seedling, while well-mulched, hadn’t much time to establish. The Mexican Orchid Tree reemerged in late spring of 2011. It survived the Summer from Hell (2011) and grew throughout last year, only to die to the ground again during winter, 2012.

Planted in a shady spot, my Mexican Orchid Tree will never become a “tree” for me. It’s an open and airy shrub, with (for now) two main branches. Planted in a garden with Turk’s Cap (Malvaviscus arboreus), Cast Iron Plant (Aspidistra elatior), Inland Sea Oats (Chasmanthium latifolium) and assorted shade-tolerant plants,

it adds interesting foliage,

and lovely white blooms which brighten the shady area.

If planted in full sun, the Mexican Orchid Tree grows to 8-12 feet in height with a 6-8 foot spread. Reportedly deer resistant, it’s known as a great butterfly attracting plant, although. I haven’t observed any butterflies on my blooms. I would consider it a xeric plant. I haven’t given any extra water other than the two times/month that is my norm and it’s grown well.

The flowers are beautiful,

and fragrant, too.

Here in Austin, the only two nurseries which regularly carry the Mexican Orchid Tree in stock are Barton Springs Nursery and The Natural Gardener.

Patience is a virtue (so I’m told) and I’m glad that I waited for this lovely addition to my garden.

20 thoughts on “Mexican Orchid Tree Blooms–Finally!”

Totally worth the wait.

I’m happy to say I bet your patience will continue to pay off for years yet to come. I have a close relative growing back in dappled shade – an Anacacho Orchid (Bauhinia lunarioides) which has slightly smaller flowers and leaves both. It has survived all the insults doled out over the past 18 or so years, though the number and duration of blooms varies, depending. Long may they wave!

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Tina on August 3, 2012 at 11:59 am said:

Hi Texasdeb! I love the Anacacho Orchid but have no room for it. You’re right, it’s a tough one, probably more so than the Mexican Orchid. In my next garden…

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- texasdeb on August 4, 2012 at 11:44 am said:
  
  Right? I have that imaginary “next garden” as well. Great minds, working alike….
  
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It’s pretty and I like the way it brightens your yard. I’ve been thinking of adding one in a bright and shady spot here.

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Tina on August 3, 2012 at 2:38 pm said:

Hi Shirley! White flowers and variegated foliage are great in those dark places of a garden. The Mexican Orchid should work well for you in San Antonio. Let me know how it goes when you plant one

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Wow, yes, I love patience! I have a nice row of mountain laurels that I started from seed. But I’m so impressed with your bauhinia from a seedling! Now I want to add this lovely to my shady spots. Just gorgeous, as is your whole garden!

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Tina on August 3, 2012 at 5:47 pm said:

Hi Linda and thanks for stopping by. Growing Mt. Laurels from seed is patience indeed! I’m impressed with that! Both BSN and Natural Gardener carry this plant in 5 gallon pots (maybe 1 gallon from time-to-time). Mulching the roots well seems to be the consensus for winter (such as we have) survival and the plant will return in spring.

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It is beautiful! I just recently discovered this plant and want to add it to my garden. I have lots of part shade in my yard. It is difficult to find things that will bloom in the shade. I love the leaf structure on this plant as well. It does brighten up a shady spot.

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Tina on August 11, 2012 at 9:49 pm said:

Hi Steph! It’s a lovely plant and I hope you get one (or two or three…) for your gardens. I’m happy with mine. It’s in a resting phase now, but I hope to see more of those beautiful flowers this season.

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I’m on my second one. The first died in a hard freeze a few winters ago. But this one has established well under a live oak and comes back reliably each spring. The blooms glow nicely in the shade too.

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Tina on August 17, 2012 at 8:14 am said:

Hi Pam! I think winter reliability is the main issue with the Mexican Orchid. But if it survives winter, it’s such a lovely and easy addition to the garden and it’s always great to have interesting shade-tolerant plants.

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I”ve never seen this plant before…those flowers are gorgeous and, yes, the foliage is interesting, too. Thanks for showing it to us.

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Tina on September 10, 2012 at 5:54 pm said:

Hi Flower Pot, thanks for dropping by. The Mexican Orchid is lovely-I’m so glad that I was patient with it. It’s now had several bloom cycles this summer!

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Wow, that’s pretty. I wonder if it would grow and overwinter this far north. Probably not, but I enjoyed seeing yours.~~Dee

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Tina on October 10, 2012 at 12:02 pm said:

Thanks for stopping by, Dee! It is pretty and has done well here. You’re in Oklahoma and colder, but I bet you could try it in a container. I’ve really enjoyed mine this year.

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