Bauhinia tomentosa
“Yellow Bell Bauhinia”

Here in California, this plant should be grown only by those rebellious sorts who like to practice “zonal denial.” Native to South Africa, it’s best grown in areas with warm Summers & warm Winters & though known to sprout from the roots after freezing to the ground, it’s usually grown (& loved) by those in USDA zone 10b-11, meaning, like, Southern California, Florida & Hawaii. Now that you’ve been warned, this unusual & showy Bauhinia makes a nice, evergreen specimen tree, bearing pale green leaves & lovely, large, pendulous, bright yellow, hibiscus-like flowers with a central brown blotch all Summer. Interestingly, on their second day, the flowers fade to violet purple. So, if you must try your hand at this rare & lovely Bauhinia, keep it in a warm spot, protect from frost & gloat to your heart’s content when you see your first blooms. Good, well-drained garden soil is best. To 15’ tall.