PERSIAN SILK TREE, MIMOSA
Albizia julibrissin
SKU: 834-10
Description
Albizia julibrissin, the Persian silk tree, pink silk tree, or mimosa tree, is native to southwestern Asia and eastern Asia. In the United States the species is often called mimosa. It is a sleeping tree by day and night, as its leaves slowly close during the night and during periods of rain, the leaflets bowing downward.
Albizia julibrissin is a small deciduous tree with a broad crown of level or arching branches, growing to 5–16 m (16–52 ft) tall. Its bark is dark greenish grey, becoming vertically striped with age. Its leaves are large and frond-like.
The flowers bloom throughout the summer in dense inflorescences, which resemble starbursts of pink silky threads. They attract bees, butterflies and hummingbirds.
A. julibrissin is widely planted as an ornamental plant in parks and gardens, grown for its fine leaf texture, flowers and attractive horizontal canopy. Other positive attributes are a fast growth rate, low water requirements and the ability to thrive planted in full sun in hot summer climates. It is frequently planted in semi-arid areas like California's Central Valley, central Texas and Oklahoma. Although capable of surviving drought, growth will be stunted and the tree tends to look sickly. As such it should be given infrequent, deep waterings during the summer, which will benefit growth and flowering.
Type: Shrub or small tree
Hardiness zones: 6-9
Location: Sun
Note: Ornamental use only. These seeds and/or plants are poisonous.
Seeds per pack: 10
Germination: Obtain a container with holes in the bottom for excess water to drain. Soak the seeds for 24 hours before planting. Place the seeds just under the surface of a pre-moistened seed mix. They require darkness to germinate. Place the container in a warm location to germinate (25C, 77F) and keep moist until germination. Once seeds emerge, place the pot in a bright location.
Description
Albizia julibrissin, the Persian silk tree, pink silk tree, or mimosa tree, is native to southwestern Asia and eastern Asia. In the United States the species is often called mimosa. It is a sleeping tree by day and night, as its leaves slowly close during the night and during periods of rain, the leaflets bowing downward.
Albizia julibrissin is a small deciduous tree with a broad crown of level or arching branches, growing to 5–16 m (16–52 ft) tall. Its bark is dark greenish grey, becoming vertically striped with age. Its leaves are large and frond-like.
The flowers bloom throughout the summer in dense inflorescences, which resemble starbursts of pink silky threads. They attract bees, butterflies and hummingbirds.
A. julibrissin is widely planted as an ornamental plant in parks and gardens, grown for its fine leaf texture, flowers and attractive horizontal canopy. Other positive attributes are a fast growth rate, low water requirements and the ability to thrive planted in full sun in hot summer climates. It is frequently planted in semi-arid areas like California's Central Valley, central Texas and Oklahoma. Although capable of surviving drought, growth will be stunted and the tree tends to look sickly. As such it should be given infrequent, deep waterings during the summer, which will benefit growth and flowering.
Type: Shrub or small tree
Hardiness zones: 6-9
Location: Sun
Note: Ornamental use only. These seeds and/or plants are poisonous.
Seeds per pack: 10
Germination: Obtain a container with holes in the bottom for excess water to drain. Soak the seeds for 24 hours before planting. Place the seeds just under the surface of a pre-moistened seed mix. They require darkness to germinate. Place the container in a warm location to germinate (25C, 77F) and keep moist until germination. Once seeds emerge, place the pot in a bright location.
