I had the good fortune of meeting another wonderful DG'er today and we went nursery shopping, of course.
We both purchased a mexican bauhinia. Does anyone else have one of these? Can you tell me all about it? How big/full sun/fast grower/propagation/etc? I see that it has seed pods so I assume that's the propagation method but has anyone tried? It's so pretty. They were just covered in Swallow tails.
Here's the information for you.
http://web.gccaz.edu/glendalelibrary/GLIS%20Bauhinia%20mexicana.htm
www.mswn.com/Plant%20Info%20Sheets/Bauhinia%20mexicana.pdf
http://www.mswn.com/MSWN%20Color%20Information%20Sheets.htm
That's great info., BettyDee! Thanks! Aren't they pretty?
Yes, they are!
Aren't DG'rs wonderful! They take other garden friends and show them new places and new plants and new ways to further the gardening bug...lol...knolan!
The bauhinia that went home with me immediately attracted a huge, beautiful swallowtail. I can't wait to get it into the garden and watch for more. I see that I need to choose a much larger spot than I originally planned. Thanks for the great sites, Bettydee. Very helpful.
Me too, BW!!!! I had a huge Tiger swallowtail on mine by 4:00 pm. She was flitting back and forth between the bauhinia and the buddleia. I just can't take my eyes off them. The wonder of nature....ahhhhh. Actually, at the same time, I had a GF laying eggs and a monarch (hopefully) laying eggs. There were 5 BF's in the yard all at the same time and I was watching them all.
This plant sold itself with the ST's. I can't think of another plant I saw them gravitating to more.
I have to rethink where I'm planting it as well. Thank you, Bettydee.....you saved me from smushing it in a small spot.
It's like the almond verbena. Such a wonderful plant but it gets huge!!!! So, you have to make sure that it's planted in the right spot. And, oh, the smell. When the wind blows.....this is a plant to appreciate. The BF's and the hummers love it. Blooms all summer.
Some more facts about the Bauhinia mexicana - It is deciduous down to 25 degrees and is root hardy down to the high teens. In y'all's locale, this may not be a concern. But, it might be best to plant in a southern exposure protected from northerly winds just in case we have another bad winter. It can take full sun, but does well in any spot that has bright, part-day sun. It can handle reflected heat and is deer resistant. It prefers slightly acid soil; however, it is adaptable to alkaline and clay soils. It blooms on the new wood. Besides being a nectar source, it is a caterpillar food source for the Tailed Aguna, Long-tailed Skipper and Gilbert's Flasher. Hummers love it too. I believe it is fast growing, but since I have never grown one, I do not know for sure. One information source states that if it is frozen back to soil level, that it will regrow up to 6 feet tall in one growing season. Seems pretty fast to me.
Here's a link discussing seed germination methods:
http://davesgarden.com/forums/t/631529/
You could probably propagate it by stem cuttings as well if the cuttings are taken during its growing period.
