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Bauhinias are frequent in plantings in many parts of the tropics. They are planted to some extent in southern Florida and southern California. Numbers of species are likely to be introduced from time to time because of their gorgeous appearance in the tropics. In the experience of Old World gardeners, the most reliable species under glass are B. variegata, B. corymbosa, and B. natalensis. These can be planted outside in southern Florida in summer, and kept over winter as oleanders are. B. variegata and B. purpurea are two of the commonest and showiest small trees of India, and, although frequently introduced into northern greenhouses, have rarely succeeded permanently. B. variegata is much cultivated in India. The astringent bark is used in tanning and dyeing, and the leaves and flower-buds as a vegetable, the latter being pickled. Bauhinias thrive in a variety of soils on our southernmost borders. They delight in high well-drained land, but will grow on lower lands in southern Florida if it is fairly well drained or if set on slight mounds; all of them are very tender and easily affected by low temperatures, but are easily saved by banking. B. purpurea and B. variegata (B. alba) have withstood a temperature of 26° F. in Florida. No particular care in tillage or fertilizing is necessary, but better bloom is secured if some attention is given to these details. From seeds in Florida bauhinias grow readily and bloom freely in three or four years. Cuttings root with difficulty, but some kinds propagate readily from suckers. Bauhinias are little known as greenhouse subjects; but in the tropics they make showy and very attractive shrubs or small trees or profuse vines.

Bauhinias are frequent in plantings in many parts of the tropics. They are planted to some extent in southern Florida and southern California. Numbers of species are likely to be introduced from time to time because of their gorgeous appearance in the tropics. In the experience of Old World gardeners, the most reliable species under glass are B. variegata, B. corymbosa, and B. natalensis. These can be planted outside in southern Florida in summer, and kept over winter as oleanders are. B. variegata and B. purpurea are two of the commonest and showiest small trees of India, and, although frequently introduced into northern greenhouses, have rarely succeeded permanently. B. variegata is much cultivated in India. The astringent bark is used in tanning and dyeing, and the leaves and flower-buds as a vegetable, the latter being pickled. Bauhinias thrive in a variety of soils on our southernmost borders. They delight in high well-drained land, but will grow on lower lands in southern Florida if it is fairly well drained or if set on slight mounds; all of them are very tender and easily affected by low temperatures, but are easily saved by banking. B. purpurea and B. variegata (B. alba) have withstood a temperature of 26° F. in Florida. No particular care in tillage or fertilizing is necessary, but better bloom is secured if some attention is given to these details. From seeds in Florida bauhinias grow readily and bloom freely in three or four years. Cuttings root with difficulty, but some kinds propagate readily from suckers. Bauhinias are little known as greenhouse subjects; but in the tropics they make showy and very attractive shrubs or small trees or profuse vines.

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