The White Orchid Tree, sometimes called Bauhinia alba, is a small, open-branched tree known for its large, beautiful white flowers. The flowers come out in late spring, and then there are these long, thin seed pods that stick around on the tree until winter. This is probably the hardiest of all the Bauhinia's. It's said to be frost hardy to -6°C, and it's certainly the toughest. It's a small to medium-sized tree, reaching 5-6 meters tall and just as wide. In mild years, it can keep its foliage throughout winter, but it's usually considered deciduous, especially in cold and drought conditions. It's very similar to Bauhinia variegata in size and form, and it does well in a dry, Mediterranean climate, particularly if you give it a few deep waterings during the summer months. It originally comes from India, but it's now naturalized throughout much of Spain. It grows fast and does best in soil that's deep and well-drained, especially if you add a deep annual compost mulch.