The Anacacho orchid tree (Bauhinia lunarioides)Β is a lovely small tree that can also be grown as a shrub. It has delicate, bright green leaves and bright white flowers. It is native to the Chihuahuan desert, and as such it is fairly hardy. Despite its desert origins, it has a tropical feel, and its flowers are fragrant.
Some varieties of the tree can have light pink flowers, as well. The tree is quite drought tolerant once established, and does fine in our soils. It also likes sun, but ideally should be protected from winds. Its native habitat is canyons, so it does need a little more water than some other native trees, but itβs still pretty low water use. It will be fine in partial sun, as well, but may bloom less. Afternoon shade is preferred.
The plant will attract bees, butterflies and other pollinators when blooming. Itβs hardy to about 15 F so it should do well in foothills elevations in town. Itβs a low-fuss tree, as it doesnβt have much litter and it does not need any fertilization. In fact, adding fertilizers is likely to reduce its blooms. It requires no regular pruning.
The tree is fairly slow growing, so it will take a while to reach its full size of 12-15 feet in height. Itβs a good patio tree, as long as itβs not in reflected sun and, as mentioned above, is somewhat protected from winds. It can be grown in containers, and will be smaller as a result. It can be pruned to either a shrub or tree shape, making it a versatile plant for many smaller spaces.
As an added bonus, the tree is nitrogen-fixing, and can be planted in an area with low soil nitrogen to help other plants thrive. It is winter-deciduous, making it a good tree for blocking sunlight in the summer but preserving it in winter.
Watch now: These beautiful native plants will be a great addition to your Tucson garden. Video by Dominika Heusinkveld/Arizona Daily Star.
