Botanical Name: Albizia julibrissin
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Common Name: Silk Tree; Mimosa  
Plant photo of: Albizia julibrissin
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Water Saving Tip:

Even though it's hot, your lawn only needs to be watered twice a week to stay healthy.

And don't water the whole lawn for a brown spot—drag out a hose.

  • Anatomy

  • Culture

  • Design

Plant Type

Tree

 

Height Range

12-25'

 

Flower Color

Pink

 

Flower Season

Summer

 

Leaf Color

Green, Light Green

 

Bark Color

Brown

 

Fruit Color

n/a

 

Fruit Season

n/a

Sun

Full, Half

 

Water

Medium

 

Growth Rate

Fast, Moderate

 

Soil Type

Sandy, Clay, Loam, Rocky, Unparticular

 

Soil Condition

Average, Rich, Well-drained, Moist, Dry

 

Soil pH

Acid, Neutral

 

Adverse Factors

Attracts Bees

Design Styles

English Cottage, Japanese, Mediterranean, Ranch, Spanish, Tropical

 

Accenting Features

Multi-trunk Tree, Showy Flowers, Specimen, Unusual Shape

 

Seasonal Interest

Summer, Fall

 

Location Uses

Background, Entry, Shrub Border, Lawn, Patio

 

Special Uses

Shade Tree, Small Spaces

 

Attracts Wildlife

Birds

Information by: Stephanie Duer
Photographer: Normans/Mullany/Thompson
  • Description

  • Notes

This is a very graceful tree with a unique flat top which creates an interesting canopy effect. The light sensitive leaves close at night. It has delightful, fluffy pink summer flowers and fern like leaves. It is a fast grower, but in this region seldom grows taller than 25 feet. It enjoys high summer heat when adequate water is provided. It is hardy to USDA Zone 6, but handles colder winters better as it ages. When the flowers fade and fall off, they create a beautiful, soft, pink carpet.
Grow in full sun and well drained soil; not particular to soil type. Mimosa are border-line hardy, so place them were they may receive some protection from winter winds. They may die-back in very cold winters, though this becomes less of a problem as the tree establishes and matures. But it happens. On the other hand, there are some lovely specimens on the east side of a couple of homes up on Wasatch Blvd, so you never know...