Spring has sprung, at least in subtropical regions like Hong Kong.
There is an abundance of this flower blooming, signifying that Spring has finally arrived.
This is a flower which is quite unique in Hong Kong. It is known as the Hong Kong Orchid Tree or Bauhinia blakeana . So special that this flower is adopted as a logo on the regional flag and emblem of the HK Government .
This beautiful flower was found by a father of the French Mission in HK in 1880. The flower was then cultivated by twig planting. Research has found that this tree is in fact a cross between Bauhinia purpurea and Bauhinia variegata by artificial cultivation and cannot yield seeds or propagate naturally.
The related species Bauhinia variegata is also in full bloom with their light pink and white flowers. The picture below shows a tree with light pink flowers on the left and an adjacent tree with white flowers on the right.
If Spring has arrived in the subtropics, it won’t be too far behind in the rest of the Northern hemisphere!
Lovely. Our crocuses are fully open in the sunshine today. Sue
Glad to learn that! Thank you:-)
I’m still waiting for it…it sure is just around the corner.
I’m sure it is just around the corner!
Good news, I am waiting to Spring to travel north to my farm. Send it my way!
I will try to speed it up!
Ahh Bauhinia, reminds me of my trip to HK last year. I wish to come back one day to explore the beaches and fishing villages.
Hi Bama, you may like visiting the outlying islands and some geological features too!
Beautiful colours of spring.
We only have a short Spring and then we are into a long Summer; so it is a time we should cherish. Thank you for the kind comment:-)
It’s the first nice sunny day today in the UK so perhaps you’re right – we’re not too far behind you!
Hope Spring is just around the corner for oyu. Thank you for the kind comment :-)
I love spring and can’t wait for it! Although I’ll be spending most of April in India.
Hope Spring is not that hot in India! Thank you for the kind comment:-)
A beautiful messenger of spring you have in Hong Kong!
Yes, we know Spring is in the air too! Thank you for the kind comment:-)
Beautiful Spring! These flowers made me miss Hong Kong!
There are other flowers in full bloom too; that definitely make you miss HK!
Just breath taking. I can’t wait until March and Spring will hopefully be in the air here.
Hope Spring will come your way soon. Thank you for the kind comment:-)
I saw these trees has planted everywhere in Asia.
Understand this tree is found in India and a few places too. But the Bauhinia blakeana is quite unique, it wouldn’t propate naturally. People are wondering whether so many of these trees in HK are only clones coming from just one tree which has successfully cross bred in 1880!
Gorgeous flowers. I’ll enjoy your spring here while waiting for ours to arrive in a couple of months.
Hope Spring is just around the corner for you. Thank you for the kind comment:-)
We have a month or so to go here – these were a nice reminder that Spring is coming!
With global warming, you waiting time will be getting less. Thank you for the kind comment:-)
beautiful flower! glad that there’s an abundant sighting of it. :-)
There is an abundance of these flowers right now, what a sight!
These trees and their flowers *are* beautiful! Loved seeing them last year. Great photos :)
Hope you’ll see them too this year. Thank you for the kind comment:-)
Pinned this, on my Be with Beauty Page. Could not find a place to comment on you blog. We where winter still holds sway needed this reminder of things to come. The pin: http://pinterest.com/pin/147141112797685289/
Thank you.
On Sun, Feb 17, 2013 at 6:01 AM, retireediary
Many thanks for pinning it! Regards, Michael
You may be a lot closer to the equator than I am, but you’re still noticing spring – thanks for pointing this out.
Yes, we are a lot closer to the equator. With the global warming, Springs are now very short and we have to grasp it while it is with us. Thank you for the kind comment:-)
Can’t wait for daffodils to start blooming, a sure sign of spring here.
Good to hear that. Thank you for the kind comment:-)
Very beautiful flower.
Glad that you like it. Thank you for the kind comment:-)
we can’t grow that sort of thing where I live. Sadly!
I was told you can transplant trees from temperate to tropical / subtropical regions but not the other way round. I am sure you also have other beautiful plants which we don’t have. Thank you for the kind comment:-)
Such lush leaves and petals–lucky you. I have two more months of constant teasing: token warm days, followed by bitter cold.
Hope with global warming, the teasing period will be shortened and Spring will be with you shortly. Thank you for the kind comment:-)
Do they smell sweet?
Unfortunately, they don’t; but they are really attractive!
pretty! I can’t wait for Spring to happen here in Frankfurt.
Trust Spring is just around the corner. Thank you for the kind comment:-)
Beautiful Flowers, it’s nice to see them, thanks
Hope Spring will be with you soon!
I nominated you for the “Very Inspiring Blogger Award”. I love looking at the beauty of what God has made through your blog. You inspire me daily and I am grateful God brought us together. God bless you Michael! Here is the link: http://dianarasmussen.com/2013/02/18/very-inspiring-blogger-award-thank-you/
Hi, thanks so much for the nomination which I understand is an important award. I have decided not to pursue or accept any nomination / award during my retirement and for this reason, I have already turned down all similar awards. Knowing that my blog is read in many places of the world (over 160 countries) is already my biggest reward. With regret, I have to decline the nomination. Thank you once again for the nomination which is very much appreciated! Best wishes to you also, Michael
Its still winter here…hoping for the spring to arrive soon. Beautiful photo of the flowers.
No doubt, Spring will come very soon! Thank you for the kind comment:-)
i want to experience Spring :-)
Hope Spring will come your way very soon. Thank you for the kind comment:-)
nice pics…thanks for liking my posts.
Thank you for the kind comment:-)
your most welcome
:-)
Spring is almost here in Louisiana – the tulip magnolias are in bloom, but it’s still a little too early for the azaleas. The birds are everywhere, too!
Your photos are beautiful – how lucky you are to be surrounded by these flowers! <3
Glad that Spring is already in Louisiana. Will you be posting some of the flowers? Thank you for the kind comment:-)
Yes, I’ll post pictures, Michael….eventually. <3
Thank you :-)
Exquisite pictures.Thank you Michael for liking my post( The Armenian ….) warm regards.jalal Michael.
Thank you Jalal for the kind comment:-)
SPring, one of the seasons I miss most from my childhood! Now, I will look forward to your spring pictures to make me at least experience it from afar. =>
Hi, Spring here is short lived; hope to capture more pictures. Thank you for the kind comment:-)
Beautiful photos. Thanks for checking out my blog!
You are welcome. Thank you for the kind comment:-)
Thanks for liked on my blog
.. your photography are awesome though
You are welcome :-)
Spring renews the gardener in all of us doesn’t it? It’s such a pretty specimen. That must be amazing in mass plantings. I imagine it’s very labour intensive since it doesn’t propagate naturally, but well worth it.
There areso many Bauhinia blakeana trees in this place and to think that they are clones of just one tree found in 1880 is just amazing! Thank you :-)
I’m ready for spring! :)
Spring is really exciting with all the flowers in bloom! Really enjoy that at the moment. Thank you for the perusal and the like :-)