There are six flowering trees in front of my work place building that are currently putting on a show with their magnificent bloomings. Over the years I have been working in the same building, I am often amazed by the beauty of their flowers, and only until recently I learned its name is Bauhinia x blakeana, also known as Hong Kong Orchid Tree.
Among those six trees, three of them have light pink color, and the other three have rich rose-purple color. Interestingly, the ones producing the pink flowers are almost deciduous, while the ones with purple flowers have leaves which are 4-6 in across and rounded with lobed ends and heart shaped bases. The blooming usually starts in fall and extending to mid spring. The early spring like now seems to be its peak time.
It was named for Sir Henry Blake, the Governor of Hong Kong from 1898 to 1903 and is now the official floral emblem of Hong Kong. Its Chinese name is: 洋紫荆, or 紫荆花.
Here are some close-up pictures of bloomings and the leaves.
Even the shape of the leaf is unique and lovely!
Ever since they started blooming like crazy about one week ago, I often spend a few minutes to take more closer look of them before stepping into the building to start my day. I consider this is my special treats of the day :)
