Genus Albizia

Albizia julibrissin Photo/Illustration: David Franko

al-BIZ-ee-ah

These trees, shrubs, and vines are grown for their ferny foliage and eye-catching flowers, which are followed by flattened seed pods. Leaves and pods are used as food for livestock. Use as a specimen plant.
Noteworthy characteristics: Feathery foliage; showy flowers. Fast growers, but short-lived. Drought tolerant. Hardy.
Care: Grows best in well-drained, moist, loamy soil in a sheltered, warm site. Will tolerate poor soil.
Propagation: By seed or root cuttings.
Problems: Borers are common pests. Plants can become weedy.

Species, varieties and cultivars for genus Albizia

Albizia julibrissin
(Mimosa, Silk tree) (2 user reviews)

Hardiness Zones:

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

A large shrub or small tree, Albizia julibrissin is native to Iran to Japan. It is a fast-growing plant whose seedlings can become invasive. It can be seen growing in the wild in the southeastern U.S. and California in waste places, fields, and along roads.

However, its bipinnate, ferny leaves and fluffy pink flowerheads that cover the tree in summer make it a garden-worthy plant, as do the fragrance emitted by the flowers, which attract bees. Seed pods that resemble flat beans follow the flowers and persist into winter. Still, care should be used so that seeds from garden plants can't escape into the wild.

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