Many of the almost 300 species of Bauhinia are popular garden subjects because of their decorative foliage and ornamental flowers and are widely grown in sub-tropical or tropical regions of the world. Most bauhinias are woody shrubs, some climbing with tendrils or scrambling and some are small trees. The most commonly cultivated is Bauhinia variegata, the orchid tree (not a true orchid), originally from India and China. There are seven bauhinias that are indigenous to southern Africa, and all show horticultural promise. The most well-known and widely cultivated is the pride-of-De Kaap, Bauhinia galpinii, bearing masses of bright orange-red flowers in summer. There is also the yellow bauhinia or bosbeesklou, Bauhinia tomentosa, a large shrub or small tree with bell-shaped yellow flowers; the Kalahari white bauhinia or koffiebeesklou, Bauhinia petersiana, a scrambling shrub or small tree with very crinkled white flowers; the KwaZulu-Natal white bauhinia, Bauhinia natalensis a dainty shrub with bell-shaped white flowers; and the pink bauhinia or sandbeesklou Bauhinia urbaniana a shrub or bushy tree with rose-pink flowers from north-eastern Namibia. After the pride-of-De Kaap, Bauhinia bowkeri is the most striking and although still uncommon in cultivation, it is gaining popularity.

This is a versatile, dainty shrub with butterfly-shaped leaves and pretty, white, maroon-striped flowers. This lovely ornamental, rounded shrub is relatively fast growing and within a few years reaches its mature size of 2.5 x 3 m. The distinctively butterfly-like leaves consist of two rounded, almost completely divided, nearly semi-circular lobes and in Bauhinia natalensis are delightful miniatures, being much smaller than any of the other South African species making this a popular bonsai subject. White, lightly fragrant, delicate, azalea-like flowers are borne in profusion-this plant can be almost completely covered with flowers for a long period throughout summer from November to April. An interesting feature of this plant is that the leaves are adapted to close in response to reduced light. The great combination of foliage, flowers and the growth habit of Bauhinia natalensis offers makes it a plant with exceptional horticultural potential for any garden.