Florida has pretty fall trees, too!

The northern states may get the most publicity for beautiful autumn trees, but two species growing near SmallHouse are equally pretty this time of year. Take a look at the Chinese Flame Tree (aka Koelreuteria Bipinnata) from the vacant lot next-door:

K. Bipinnata is a broad-spreading, deciduous tree reaching heights of 40-60′ although the silhouette can be somewhat irregular. (Look at the bottom right corner of the above pic and note this specimen’s trunk growing at an angle before branching up and outward.)

The small, fragrant, yellow flowers that appear on terminal pannicles in early summer are replaced by rose-colored, papery seed capsules in fall. Held high above the foliage, these 2″ Chinese lanterns retain their pink color even after dropping seeds and drying out.

You could set your clock by the mid-October arrival of flower buds on my Bauhinia Purpurea (aka Hong Kong Orchid) tree:

For the next few weeks it should flower sporadically, but come November it will be covered in exotic blooms like this. (It’s sure easy to see why Bauhinias are called “Orchid” Trees!)

Every region has its own seasonal beauty, and I hope you enjoyed this brief peak at ours!

:)….Until next time… 🙂

Senk: Removal of tree sets stage for confusion (ocregister.com)
(021) – Trees Give Off Wi-Fi?! (tillgraduation.wordpress.com)

5 thoughts on “Florida has pretty fall trees, too!”

I do love the “Pride of India” tree as we call them here.. as well as the ” camel’s foot” as well call the Bauhinia… both lovely trees although I do think the Pride of India struggles to get to such heights here…

SmallHouseBigGarden says:

October 26, 2013 at 10:50 am

There seems to be great variability in height here. Some are quite tall, yet others–planted at the same time in the same areas–don’t get much above 20ft!