Pink-red flowers burst open in long, soft, needle-shaped stamens above leaves so fine that the whole crown seems weightless. Albizia julibrissin earns its place as a standalone specimen, where nothing competes with it, and the one condition it insists on is full sun: given heat, the flowering is finer still.
| Name | Albizia julibrissin |
|---|---|
| Family | legume family (Fabaceae) |
| Type | tree |
| Height | 20 to 40 feet (6 to 12m) |
| Exposure | full sun |
| Soil | ordinary |
| Foliage | deciduous |
| Flowering | Summer |
| Invasive in | USA, Canada, Australia |
Care and pruning are such actions that support the albizia’s proper blooming and growth.
Either of the following two seasons can be the right time to plant Albizia: fall or spring, preferably in a spot sheltered from wind. The most promising season that favors root development is fall, in order to promote settling in, but only if the winter weather is mild enough.
Where winters are cold, favor planting in spring in a sunny spot that is sheltered from wind, because it originally is best suited to mild temperate climate.
Albizia can hold to temperatures as low as about 22-23°F (-5°C).
Albizia is a very easy tree to grow because it requires practically no care.
If you wish to reduce the size or balance branch growth:
To enhance the albizia’s blooming, you can add granulated flower tree or shrub fertilizer in spring.
You can also simply prepare your own liquid fertilizer if you’ve got weeds in the garden you must get rid of:
Nurseries offer a handful of named silk trees that differ chiefly in flower depth, leaf colour and the shape of the crown. The table below sets out the forms you are most likely to find, so you can match one to the space and the effect you want.
| Variety | Flower colour | Foliage | Habit | Chosen for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ‘Alba’ | Creamy white | Green | Spreading | Pale, cool colour scheme |
| f. rosea (var. rosea) | Deep rosy pink | Green | Compact, spreading | The hardiest form in cool areas |
| ‘Summer Chocolate’ | Pink | Deep chocolate-purple | Spreading, medium | Darkest foliage contrast |
| ‘Ombrella’ (‘Boubri’) | Pink | Fresh green | Broad umbrella crown | Classic light shade specimen |
| ‘Charlotte’ | Pink | Green | Spreading | Wilt resistance |
| ‘E.H. Wilson’ | Pink | Green | Spreading, medium | Colder gardens |
| ‘Tryon’ | Pink | Green | Spreading | Wilt resistance |
Albizia asks for very little, but the little it asks for has a season. Here is what each task involves and when to carry it out.
| Task | When | What to do | Why |
|---|---|---|---|
| Planting | Fall, or spring where winters are cold | Choose a sunny spot sheltered from wind | Fall settling in only works if the winter stays mild |
| Pruning | After flowering has finished | Reduce size or balance the branches, keeping the umbrella shape | The natural, freely spreading habit gives the best stature |
| Removing suckers | Often, through the growing season | Pull or cut the shoots that appear at the foot of the trunk | Keeps growth in the crown rather than the base |
| Feeding | Spring | Bury a few handfuls of granulated flower tree fertiliser and water | Rain releases the nutrients slowly for a stronger bloom |
Beyond these few gestures, the tree is best left to its own devices.
Pink red flowers with long soft needle-shaped stamens really seem to burst out and are very elegant. Both the leaves and the flowers contribute to establishing a feeling of airy lightness.
This is the reason this tree is also called the “silk tree”. After being formally identified and described in the late 18th century, botanist
Filippo degli Albizzi introduced it in Europe, from whence it spread across the planet.
Another name for it is acacia tree, or sometimes also the Persian mimosa tree.
Its beauty should lead you to plant it as a standalone to best take advantage of its many appealing characteristics.
Plant albizia in full sun because it loves heat and its flowers will be even nicer!
