Bauhinia variegata ‘Candida’
 
Common Names White Orchid Tree, White Mountain Ebony, Candida Bauhinia
 
Zones 9B–11 (outdoors); Zone 8B with protection or container overwintering
 
Bauhinia variegata ‘Candida’ is a fast-growing, deciduous tree celebrated for its profusion of pure white, orchid-like blossoms. A cultivar of B. variegata, it lacks the typical purple variegation, offering a clean, luminous display from late winter through spring. Native to tropical Asia, it’s prized for specimen plantings, street tree use, and pollinator gardens.
 
Key Features
Growth Habit: Upright to spreading; vase-shaped crown; moderate density
Height: 20–35 ft. tall; 20–30 ft. wide
Trunk: Slender, smooth gray bark; branching begins low unless trained
Leaves: Bilobed, orbiculate, light green; 4–6 in. wide; deciduous
Inflorescence: Pure white, orchid-shaped flowers with lemon-green markings; 4–5 in. wide; bloom January–April
Fruit: Flat brown seedpods, 10–12 in. long; persist through winter
Ecology: Nectar source for hummingbirds, butterflies, and bees; mildly fragrant
 
Growing Conditions
Light: Full sun
Watering: Moderate; drought-tolerant once established
Soil: Well-drained loam or sandy soil; neutral to slightly alkaline pH
Temperature: 26–95°F (–3 to 35°C); among the most frost-tolerant Bauhinias
Humidity: Adaptable; prefers subtropical to tropical conditions
Propagation: Seeds (scarify for better germination); cuttings
Tolerance: Moderate drought; not salt-tolerant
 
Landscape Use Ideal as a specimen tree, street tree, or focal point in tropical gardens. Pairs beautifully with Tabebuia pallida, Cassia javanica, and Jacaranda mimosifolia for layered seasonal bloom. Works well in butterfly gardens and Mediterranean-style landscapes.